ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School
Mclennan JC
Drafted in the 38th round (1,139th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2014.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Signed out of a Loyola Marymount commitment for $400,000 in 2015, Watson was climbing the Nationals' prospect list when he was sent to the Twins (along with $500,000 of international bonus money) for all-star closer Brandon Kintzler at the July 31 trade deadline. Though hardly overpowering with a fastball at 88-91 mph, Watson does have a projectable frame and hides the ball well with the ability to locate. Watson initially struggled after the trade and saw his strikeout rate drop significantly. However, he rallied to fan seven in a quality start on the road in the playoffs. His 74-mph downer curveball grades out as the best offering of his four-pitch mix, and his changeup projects as future average. He held righties to a .298 on-base percentage, 51 points lower than lefties, with a 23-percent strikeout rate across two leagues. He reminds some of former Twins lefty Mark Redman. A good athlete, Watson fields his position well but needs to improve his pickoff move. He figures to open 2018 at high Class A Fort Myers and projects as a mid-rotation starter if his changeup keeps improving.
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