Khalil Watson
SS 5-11 175 Wake Foriest HS (NC)
12-3-20 - Perfect Game combined their picks for the first two rounds in this mock draft -
14. San Francisco Giants | Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS | (2/43) Cody Morissette, SS, Boston College
Watson burst onto the national scene this summer and didn’t slow down at all, both literally and figuratively as his plus speed was consistently on display while his offensive output only seemed to excel throughout the circuit. He’s a left-handed hitter with lightening quick hands and proved that the power plays while showing a solid collection of tools up the middle where you can easily project him to stay at the next level. With the second pick the Giants grabbed another up-the-middle prospect, this time from the collegiate ranks with Cody Morissette of Boston College. His fluidity in his left-handed swing and pure hit tool have been on display since arriving on campus and he was off to a torrid start prior to the shutdown in 2020 with a .448 average. He’ll anchor the middle of the diamond on defense for the Eagles where he’ll remain at the next level, though it’s the offensive skillset that has helped set him apart thus far. -Jheremy Brown
Cervino’s Take: Prep shortstops are the headliners on the high school side of the draft and the Giants grab the biggest riser in Kahlil Watson in the first and a safe college bat in Boston College’s Cody Morissette. Watson’s the first prep shortstop the Giants would have taken since 2013 and Morissette fits their draft trends a bit better given his college resume and safe hit tool. Regardless the combination of high ceiling and high floor with their first two picks make for a solid pair.
11-24-20 - Prospects Worldwide Mock Draft -
14. SS Khalil Watson
School: Wake Forest HS, NC | Commit: North Carolina St | B / T: L / R | Ht: 5’11 | Wt: 168lbs | Age: 18.1
One of the summers biggest risers with some of the cleaner actions at the SS position.. Plus athleticism, bat speed, and a bat that has really been showing up loudly this summer. So much that he has put himself in firm 1st round discussions with his ability to produce on both sides of the ball, and there is still more to come with the bat. Patient and willing to take walks, to go with (55 Hit and 45 Power) with a chance to pop into 50 Power. A Plus (60) runner that plays on both sides of the ball and pairs well his his aggressive style on the basepaths.
Defensively, a natural fit at SS with his quick twitch actions and range where he grades as Plus (60). Above-average (55) Arm strength that is firm across the diamond with consistent on target throws.
11-25-20 - Lookout Landing -
Don’t sleep on Wake Forest, North Carolina blue-chip Khalil Watson. He may not have the length and projection the other three have, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in explosiveness and physicality on the baseball field.
At 5-foot-11, Watson is at least three inches shorter than any of the other prep shortstops at the top of his class. Watson will likely never be the tall, rangy, prototypical shortstop many fancy in the first round of any MLB Draft. His likely final destination will be second base or third base, depending on the trajectory of the body. As it stands now, Watson tips the scales at just 170 pounds.
Watson is a really well built kid. Don’t let the weight fool you, he’s got incredibly strong shoulders and a broad, thick back with a chest with some barrel to it. Most of his mass is carried in his core with his lower half and forearms lagging slightly behind.
11-11-20 - Prospects Live Top 300 Prospect List -
23. Kahlill Watson - SS
Bio:
Height: 5-11
Weight: 168 lbs
Hits/Throws: L-R
Hometown: Wake Forest, NC
School: Wake Forest (HS)
The bat-to-ball skills for Watson mirror just about any of the top prep shortstops in this class. A lofty, left-handed stroke, Watson still has plenty of body to project good weight on. He's a good runner and has all the skills and actions necessary to stick at shortstop for the long haul. That said, his build suggests he'll likely end up at second base or third base long term. Some similarities to Jazz Chisholm in that regard. The barrel velo's he gets for a guy his size are impressive. He's in the conversation as the best pure prep shortstop in this class alongside Lawlar and Mayer, though the hit tool will need to catch up with the impressive power.
11-9-20 - Ian Smith Mock 1.0 -
24. Atlanta Braves
The Pick- SS Kahlil Watson • Wake Forest HS (NC)
5’11” • 175lb
One of the biggest risers in this year’s prep class comes off the board here at 24. Watson has earned first round grades all summer long with a potent left-handed swing that creates unreal natural loft and showing plus raw power potential. The plate approach could be an even better part of his game, which will help the hit tool become a reliable facet of the skillset as a professional . Fluid actions at shortstop with quick feet and very soft hands. Can make any throw from the position, and might have the best long-term potential as a shortstop in this class. Instantly would be the best infielder in Atlanta’s system, with a ceiling to dream on.
11-9-20 - Lookout Landing -
Don’t sleep on Wake Forest, North Carolina blue-chip Khalil Watson. He may not have the length and projection the other three have, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in explosiveness and physicality on the baseball field.
At 5-foot-11, Watson is at least three inches shorter than any of the other prep shortstops at the top of his class. Watson will likely never be the tall, rangy, prototypical shortstop many fancy in the first round of any MLB Draft. His likely final destination will be second base or third base, depending on the trajectory of the body. As it stands now, Watson tips the scales at just 170 pounds.
Watson is a really well built kid. Don’t let the weight fool you, he’s got incredibly strong shoulders and a broad, thick back with a chest with some barrel to it. Most of his mass is carried in his core with his lower half and forearms lagging slightly behind.
PG -
Kahlil Watson, SS, Dirtbags Scout Team
It was no surprise to see Watson continue to perform at a high level in Fort Myers, which he did both defensively and offensively to the tune 1.244 OPS. He’s quickly risen up boards into the first round range on the strength of his overall game and plus athleticism, and the performance metrics are strong as well. He’s in the top tier of prep bats along with a handful of others.
Khalil Watson – SS: One of the summers biggest risers with some of the cleaner actions at the SS position where he grades as Plus (60). Plus athleticism, bat speed, and a bat that has really been showing up loudly this summer. So much that he finds himself as a likely 1st round selection with his ability to produce on both sides of the ball, and there is still more to come with the bat. Patient and willing to take walks, to go with (50 Hit and 45+ Power) with a chance to pop into 50 Power.
Kahlil Watson - If there was an award for the biggest riser in this year’s class, it would go to Watson. All he has done is hit throughout the summer and showcase the makings of a premier defender in the dirt. While he is not the biggest player at 5’11, 170 pounds, he showcased 55 raw pull power during batting practice. In the game, he was held in check for the most part, striking out against a Christian Little curveball in the first inning and grounding out in his second plate appearance against Max Debiec. He did get a bloop single in his final appearance off a James Peyton Smith heater, but his main highlights came on defense. He made a heads up throw to home to seal an inning-ending double play in the first inning, saving a second run from scoring that inning. There’s a good chance Watson finds himself as a top five round pick come next July.
1 comment:
Can we trade Gavin Cecchini for the more athletic Kahlil Watson? Just asking.
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