Rank Kahlil Watson vs the current O's SS?

[wildcard]

It appears the Mayer and Lawlar will probably be gone by the 5th pick but Watson may still be there.  Where do you think he ranks consider offense and defense ceiling vs the O's current SS prospects?

Henderson, Westburg, Servideo, Ortiz, Grenier, Adam Hall?

Who stays at SS?

Inquiring minds want to know what you think.

[7Mo]

That's kinda tough to do given that all that's available on Watson are some brief videos and written blurbs. But from what I've read, the 5'9" Watson profiles more as a second baseman. Video's show excellent bat speed and athleticism and he will likely play short for a few years in MiLB to see how he develops.

From draft comments, it also appears Watson is shooting up boards, either because he's still playing when other high schools aren't, or my speculation is he is more amenable to an underslot deal and therefore, he's rising on boards. Looks like there's a real chance he gets taken at 2. I've read that Elias has seen Watson a lot recently.

As to guys in our system, Gunnar is clearly the best prospect considering both offensive and defensive ceilings and he should have a good chance to stay at short.  

Here's a compilation of draft projections from Trade Rumors:

• 1. Pirates: Mayer (Callis/Collazo/Law/McDaniel), Henry Davis, Jordan Lawlar, Khalil Watson, Jack Leiter
• 2. Rangers: Leiter (Callis), Lawlar (Collazo/Law), Davis (McDaniel), Kumar Rocker, Mayer, Watson….in a contrast to the other three pundits, Callis writes that Texas has Lawlar and Davis “on the back burner” behind Watson, Mayer, and Leiter.  “Watson has real heat at this spot,” Collazo writes.
• 3. Tigers: Mayer, Jackson Jobe (Callis/Collazo), Leiter (Law), Brady House (McDaniel), Lawlar, Watson, possibly Rocker “as a big maybe” in Collazo’s words
• 4. Red Sox: Lawlar (Callis), Davis (Law), Leiter (Collazo/McDaniel)….Collazo doesn’t believe Leiter would fall beyond Boston at fourth overall,
• 5. Orioles: Davis (Callis), Colton Cowser (Law), Watson (Collazo/McDaniel), House, Harry Ford, either of Mayer/Lawler if they happened to fall….Baltimore is widely expected to take a college position player at an under-slot price, as a way of keeping money in reserve to go over-slot on other picks.
• 6. Diamondbacks: Rocker (Callis), Davis (Collazo), Watson (Law), Lawlor (McDaniel), Jobe
• 7. Royals: Watson (Callis), Rocker (Collazo/Law/McDaniel)….this is another minor consensus area, as Law and McDaniel believe that Rocker isn’t likely to fall beyond Kansas City.  “The market for Rocker is weirdly specific,” Law writes, citing the Rangers, Red Sox, Royals, Nationals, and Mets as perhaps the only true interested parties.  Of course, Callis projected the D’Backs to take Rocker at sixth overall, so Arizona could also be a candidate for the Vanderbilt righty.

[wildcard]

Surprised to hear you think Watson will be a 2B. MLB prospect has him 55 arm, 55 field, 60 run as a SS.

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/kahlil-watson-696135

[7Mo]

4 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Surprised to hear you think Watson will be a 2B.

Just going by what I've read. I haven't seen enough to know. As you know, guys that speculate about the draft are all over the place with what a guy can and can't do.

And as often as I've seen him listed at 5'9", this article says 5'11".

Take a look at the video in this article and see if you like the bat speed.

https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2021/05/20/kahlil-watson-2021-mlb-draft-shortstop-wake-forest-high-school-nc/5143047001/

[7Mo]

Here's more information with some good videos. 

https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2020/11/9/21551861/2021-mlb-draft-preview-khalil-watson

[wildcard]

43 minutes ago, 7Mo said:

Here's more information with some good videos. 

https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2020/11/9/21551861/2021-mlb-draft-preview-khalil-watson

I don't know what baseball expertise Joe E Doyle has, but I do know Callis and Mayo.

[7Mo]

1 minute ago, wildcard said:

I don't know what baseball expertise Joe E Doyle has, but I do know Callis and Mayo.

I love what I know about Watson, the bat speed, the athleticism, the speed. I just don't know what I don't know. 

They talk about him getting thicker and not having enough range to play short. Speculating. They talk about a long swing that will cause him problems against good breaking pitches.

I don't think those things are big issues. He might become a dynamic second baseman. And I see no reason he can't create a shorter, more compact swing.

For months, Lawlar was projected to Texas. He's practically in their back yard. Now Lawlar is projected all over the place. Why? Is it Texas sending false signals? Could very well be.

I'm not sure but I know I'd be thrilled if we pick Lawlar or Watson at 5.

[wildcard]

I have not seen  any article from someone I trust that says he is not a SS.  That is why I asked where he ranks vs the SS the O's have.

[osravensfan78]

I would put him 2nd behind Gunnar, but could see others having them reversed. I’ve been really high on Gunnar since we drafted him though, so I may be biased. I’ve also seen that Watson may be better suited for 2B, but he looks to have the tools to me in the video I’ve seen of him at SS. 

[wildcard]

2 minutes ago, osravensfan78 said:

I would put him 2nd behind Gunnar, but could see others having them reversed. I’ve been really high on Gunnar since we drafted him though, so I may be biased. I’ve also seen that Watson may be better suited for 2B, but he looks to have the tools to me in the video I’ve seen of him at SS. 

Do you have a link on who is saying he needs to shift to 2B?   I am trying to understand where that is coming from.

I could see Elias drafting him at #5 if he is a SS.  If he is a 2B maybe not depending on the reason he  would have to move off SS.

[osravensfan78]

22 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Do you have a link on who is saying he needs to shift to 2B?   I am trying to understand where that is coming from.

I could see Elias drafting him at #5 if he is a SS.  If he is a 2B maybe not depending on the reason he  would have to move off SS.

https://motorcitybengals.com/2021/06/10/detroit-tigers-draft-profile-kahlil-watson/amp/

I saw it in a few places, but here is one I remembered. Like I said, I think he can stick. I just remember reading that he may not in a few articles. 

[osravensfan78]

https://www.redsminorleagues.com/2021/06/22/2021-mlb-draft-scouting-report-kahlil-watson/
 

Here is another one.  

[wildcard]

Kiley McDaniel

7. Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC) (N.C. State commit)

Watson has been scorching hot of late, with a three-homer game earlier this week after a strong summer performance. He's also 18.2 on draft day and will fit at either shortstop or second base in pro ball, helping him in draft models. Similar to C.J. Abrams a few years ago, Watson had a solid summer and showed power in batting practice but not so much in games, with more power showing up in BP and creeping into games as the draft approached. Watson isn't the elite runner that Abrams is and has a more compact frame. Watson would also pretty comfortably fit into my top 100 prospects list right when he signs, as well.

https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/insider/story/_/id/31553650/kiley-mcdaniel-2021-mlb-draft-rankings-30-two-shortstops-lead-race-next-month-top-pick?device=featurephone

MLB.com Callis and Mayo

Running better than ever as a senior, Watson consistently displays well-above-average speed and is a basestealing threat. The North Carolina State recruit has the actions and instincts to play a solid shortstop. He could play almost anywhere on the diamond with his quickness and arm strength, and his offensive potential would allow him to profile well at several positions.

 

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/kahlil-watson-696135

 

 

 

[Sports Guy]

#1

[osravensfan78]

33 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Kiley McDaniel

7. Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC) (N.C. State commit)

Watson has been scorching hot of late, with a three-homer game earlier this week after a strong summer performance. He's also 18.2 on draft day and will fit at either shortstop or second base in pro ball, helping him in draft models. Similar to C.J. Abrams a few years ago, Watson had a solid summer and showed power in batting practice but not so much in games, with more power showing up in BP and creeping into games as the draft approached. Watson isn't the elite runner that Abrams is and has a more compact frame. Watson would also pretty comfortably fit into my top 100 prospects list right when he signs, as well.

https://www.espn.com.sg/mlb/insider/story/_/id/31553650/kiley-mcdaniel-2021-mlb-draft-rankings-30-two-shortstops-lead-race-next-month-top-pick?device=featurephone

MLB.com Callis and Mayo

Running better than ever as a senior, Watson consistently displays well-above-average speed and is a basestealing threat. The North Carolina State recruit has the actions and instincts to play a solid shortstop. He could play almost anywhere on the diamond with his quickness and arm strength, and his offensive potential would allow him to profile well at several positions.

 

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/kahlil-watson-696135

 

 

 

Sounds good to me. I would love him as the pick. Prob put him at #1 If he can stick. I love the bat.