• Full name Anthony Michael Watson
  • Born 05/30/1985 in Sioux City, IA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 224 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Nebraska
  • Debut 06/08/2011
  • Drafted in the 9th round (278th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007 (signed for $85,000).
    View Draft Report
    One of the top draft-eligible sophomores in last year's draft class, Watson lasted until the Orioles took him in the 17th round because of worries about his signability. He turned down a six-figure offer after a solid summer in the Cape Cod League, and his stuff has gone backward a little this spring. His fastball has sat at 86-88 mph, down from 88-89 a year ago, and he hasn't touched the low 90s as often. He has added 13 pounds and now carries 223 on his 6-foot-4 build, so the drop in velocity is surprising. Watson still can paint the corners of the plate, in part because he's athletic and repeats his delivery. His plus changeup is his top pitch, but he hasn't thrown his slurvy slider much, and that offering still needs consistency. Watson was Iowa's top high school pitching prospect in 2003, when he threw three no-hitters and set a state record with a 0.10 ERA. But he tore his labrum before he got to colllege and redshirted during his first year at Nebraska. Coming back from major shoulder surgery earns him points for makeup. Despite his downturn as a 22-year-old junior, he still should go in the first five rounds.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Changeup in the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone