Mack's Top Draft Prospects - #16 - SS - Khalil Watson

 

Khalil Watson

Mack's spin - 

Watson is the last of the "Big 5" shortstops in this draft and he will be picked if for no other reason than teasm will be afraid to pass on him.

He easily could go earlier.

Could be a problem signing him because he is a great high school football star also.

 

SS     5-11    175      Wake Forest HS (NC) 

 

5-20-21 - fayobserver -

 

Kahil Watson sports a career batting average of .475 in 58 games, and he racked up 52 hits, 48 runs scored, 12 doubles, six triples and six home runs while batting .578 in his last full season in 2019 as a sophomore.

 

He was also a standout last summer on the travel baseball circuit, which was an especially crucial proving ground for 2021 prospects who had their spring junior seasons canceled due to COVID-19.

  

5-20-21 - mlb 

 

7. Royals: Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HS

 

While Lawlar and Mayer get most of the attention (with House right behind) among the high school shortstop set, Watson’s all-around tools have him being mentioned in several top 10 pick conversations.

 

 5-18-21 - reviewing the brew -

 

Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC)

 

This is a great draft class for high school shortstops. There could be as many as four or five prep shortstops taken in the first round this year, and Watson has some of the best speed of any of them. The others are seen as better overall hitters, which is why Watson is likely to fall into the middle of the first round in MLB Pipeline’s latest mock.

 

 5-6-21 - MLB - 5-6 Mock Draft-

 

7. Royals: Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HS

 

The North Carolina public school season is just getting going, so Watson hasn't been seen much in game action yet, though his 20-20 potential as a quality defender at shortstop should land him in the first 10 picks.

 

 5-1-21 - the good phight -

 

Khalil Watson is a 5’11”, 170lb left handed hitter, committed to NC State. He just turned 18 less than a month ago. Watson isn’t tall, but he’s solidly built and could add additional weight to his frame. Small risk he could grow out of SS, but his arm would work at 3rd and should keep plenty of range for Second. At present he has average range and he has the good footwork to sometimes make hard plays look easy. He has a plus arm, but he also has a tendency to drop his arm slot and rush throws, sometimes creating unexpected adventures for his First Baseman. His plus speed shows up in his defense, though as he adds weight, he may end up more of an average runner when he fully matures. He’s aggressive on the basepaths (sometimes maybe too aggressive), which may need some refinement as he matures. I’ve seen a few comps for him to our own Jean Segura, in terms of build and defensive ceiling.

  

4-29-21 - Baseball Prospect Report mock 3.0 -

 

8. Colorado Rockies: Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HS

 

Speed is Watson’s biggest asset. He has a strong arm and solid footwork to give him a legitimate chance to stick at shortstop in the future. He has room to add strength to his 5-foot-9, 178-pound frame. The left-handed hitter has an aggressive swing and notable raw power.

 

 4-26-21 - mlb.com mock draft -

 

15) Brewers: Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC)

 

Watson’s name starts popping up as high as the middle of the top 10, but I’m starting cautiously because he’s barely gotten his spring season going.

 

 4-22-21 - pipeline podcast mock -

 

11) Nationals (Callis): Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HS -- He plays bigger than his size (5-foot-9, 178 pounds) and could have solid tools across the board.

 

 4-19-21 - TTF - Mock 2.0 -

 

14. San Francisco Giants: Khalil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC)

 

Watson is a speedy shortstop, who plays bigger than his 5’9″ frame. He knows how to pick pitches to hit and never chases outside stuff, especially when behind on counts.

 

 4-2-21 -  Through The Fence -

 

18. St. Louis Cardinals: Khalil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC)

 

Watson is a speedy shortstop, who plays bigger than his 5’9″ frame. He knows how to pick pitches to hit and never chases outside stuff, especially when behind on counts.

 

 3-30-21 - Prospects Worldwide -

 

8. SS Khalil Watson | School: Wake Forest HS, NC | Commit: North Carolina St | B / T: L / R | Ht: 5’11 | Wt: 168lbs | Age: 18.1

 

Watson has continued his climb from an impressive summer circuit. Defensively he shows natural clean actions at the SS position where he grades as Plus to go with a strong Plus arm. 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 his Above-average Hit tool with 20+ HR Power and 25 SB potential. A rare blend of Power/Speed that has a clear path to sticking at the SS position.

 

 3-12-21 - top 50 HS players  -

 

8. Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HS

 

Walston is a quick-twitch, speedy shortstop with better-than-expected power for someone who is 5'9", 178 pounds. He has above-average bat speed and a solid approach at the plate to go with middle-of-the-diamond defensive tools.

  

2-27-21 - https://www.maxpreps.com/news/GLOc9IV-DkGJ9WKbGyXewg/top-high-school-baseball-player-from-all-50-states.htm -

 

Top baseball player in all 50 states

 

North Carolina

 

Kahlil Watson | Wake Forest

 

A football and baseball standout, Watson dominated as a sophomore by batting .578 with six home runs and 23 RBI. He ranks as one of the nation's top shortstops.

 

 2-27-21 - top hs players -

 

Khalil Watson – Watson was one of the big risers on the showcase circuit because he kept performing while showing plus speed, the ability to stick at shortstop, consistent contact skills, and surprising pop for his size.

 

 2-18-21 - PG - Top HS Prospects -

 

9 Kahlil Watson

 

5-11  168  L/R SS Wake Forest, NC North Carolina State Wake Forest

 

Explosive tools across the board; continued ascent throughout summer & into fall; fast hands offensively, present juice w/ excellent barrel skills; stands out defensively, big arm across.

  

2-15-21 - CBS - Top 50 -

 

7. Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC)

 

Put a star next to Watson's name because there's a chance he becomes one. In addition to being a capable shortstop and runner, he has one of the prettiest and most mature swings in the class. Watson creates oodles of torque, a byproduct of the separation he achieves between his upper and lower halves during his load. The resulting explosivity permits him top-end hand speed and a bat path that should lend itself to above-average power production. Watson will need to improve his approach to maximize his output, and there's a chance any added muscle will force him to another position. There's a lot to like here all the same, and it seems certain he never steps foot on NC State's campus.

 

 1-26-21 - BA -

 

14. Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HS

 

Areas To Improve: Show improved ability to stay on dirt, strength gains, dominate North Carolina pitching

 

Watson has plenty of athleticism and some of the best pure bat speed in the class. He might not be challenged too much against North Carolina prep pitching, so he’ll need to dominate the competition to provide confidence in his hit tool, and adding strength to a smaller frame could also give teams confidence. While he has all the tools to stick in the middle of the infield, teams would like to see improvement in the details of his defensive game to give them more confidence he is a shortstop at the next level.

 

 1-20-21 - prospect live -

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#7

Kansas City Royals

Khalil Watson

2B/SS, Wake Forest (HS)

 

We have Kansas City making the first splash of the 2021 draft selecting the firecracker shortstop out of North Carolina 6th overall. Watson has had as much helium as anyone in the 2021 class, seemingly each of his showcase performances louder than the last. A bat first middle infielder with one of the most visually appealing left handed swings in the draft, Watson possesses explosive bat speed and seemingly has a knack for getting good wood on the ball. It's simple, natural loft that impacts the ball out front. The result is above average pull-side power. There's a star quality about Watson. Kansas City can dream of a future middle infield of Bobby Witt Jr. and Watson, a tandem guilty of making just about any front office blush.