In all, the former basketball player got into played in just 17 games for the school that spring but it was enough for the Montreal Expos, who took him late in the first round of the 1987 draft.
"As far as raw athletic ability," Imperial Valley basketball coach Jeff Deyo told The Sun-Sentinel. "There aren't many that compare."
Kingwood soon signed and he went off to play baseball as a pro. He ended up playing six seasons in five different organizations. He made AAA, but not the majors.
Kingwood was taken by the Expos 28th overall out of Imperial College.
He played his first season as a pro in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He hit .265 in 46 games there. He then moved to single-A West Palm Beach, playing there in 1988 and 1989. He hit .256 in 74 games in 1989.
For 1990, Kingwood moved to the Mariners system and high-A San Bernardino. By that August, he was with the Orioles at high-A Frederick.
"I think I have a good future here," Kingwood told The Newport News Daily Press after arriving at Frederick. "I'm just going to close my mouth and play hard."
Kingwood made AA Hagerstown and then AAA Rochester in 1991. In 80 games at Hagerstown, he hit .279 and stole 26 bases. In 37 games at Rochester, he hit .312 and stole 12. With Hagerstown in June1991, he hit a game-tying, ninth-inning home run.
Kingwood moved to the Tigers and AA London in 1992. He went 4 for 4 with a two-run home run in a June game. Over 108 games, he hit .284 and stole 22 bases. It was his final season as a pro.
Kingwood has since returned to his native Connecticut and watched his daughter go on to play college basketball. He's also served as an American Legion coach.
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 1, 1988: Expos Take Chance On Kingwood
- Newport News Daily Press, Aug. 2, 1990: Outfielder Communicating With Hot Bat Not Mouth
Players/Coaches Featured:1,800
Made the Majors: 844 - 46.9%
Never Made Majors: 956-53.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 362
10+ Seasons in the Minors:213
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