Zach Watson 2023

[RZNJ]

Maybe not all is lost yet regarding Watson.   He put up a 20/20 season in 2021 albeit with poor plate discipline numbers.    Last year was a lost year due to poor performance.   He looks to be at least be back to his 2021 levels and maybe a little better.    Got his OPS over .800 and showing the power and speed combo he did in 2021.     He's 25 but there still might be a path for him to make the show someday in a McKenna type of role.

 

https://www.milb.com/player/zach-watson-668789

[Tony-OH]

Is Watson your new Josh Hart?

[RZNJ]

14 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Is Watson your new Josh Hart?

Oh, Tony!   You're never going to let that one go.  

[Tony-OH]

8 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

Oh, Tony!   You're never going to let that one go.  

Only because he would have a good week or two and you'd bring him back up!  

As for Watson, he's 26 in his 3rd season in AA. He probably should figure things out a little bit at this level. He's not walking, but he's not striking out as much as he has in the past. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to him overall since I think he's a NP, but you never know. Maybe he's a late bloomer.

[RZNJ]

1 minute ago, Tony-OH said:

Only because he would have a good week or two and you'd bring him back up!  

As for Watson, he's 26 in his 3rd season in AA. He probably should figure things out a little bit at this level. He's not walking, but he's not striking out as much as he has in the past. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to him overall since I think he's a NP, but you never know. Maybe he's a late bloomer.

Just pointing out that a forgotten prospect and one that I had written off is doing better this year.  

[Tony-OH]

1 minute ago, RZNJ said:

Just pointing out that a forgotten prospect and one that I had written off is doing better this year.  

Right, by creating a 2023 page for him which is typically done for prospects only. But track away! 

[RZNJ]

12 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Right, by creating a 2023 page for him which is typically done for prospects only. But track away! 

OMG.  Where should I have put a post about Zach Watson?

[owknows]

47 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

OMG.  Where should I have put a post about Zach Watson?

Please don't post a picture of a dumpster... Please don't post a picture of a dumpster... Please don't post a picture of a dumpster...

 

[owknows]

1 hour ago, RZNJ said:

OMG.  Where should I have put a post about Zach Watson?

FWIW... I am a big fan of underdogs... so I like Watson.

I just like cheap internet humor even more.

[86this]

Zach Watson released from Bowie.  Good luck to you wherever you may land.

 

[Billy F-Face3]

13 hours ago, 86this said:

Zach Watson released from Bowie.  Good luck to you wherever you may land.

 

I knew some cuts were bound to happen but this one kind of leaves me a bit disappointed, based on his previous reputation for being a good fielder. At the very least I thought he would make for good support to our pitching prospects, especially those who are fly-ball pitchers.

[86this]

3 hours ago, Billy F-Face3 said:

I knew some cuts were bound to happen but this one kind of leaves me a bit disappointed, based on his previous reputation for being a good fielder. At the very least I thought he would make for good support to our pitching prospects, especially those who are fly-ball pitchers.

Yeah.  3 years at Bowie and batting no better than .246 with high strikeouts won't get you anywhere even with good defensive skills.

[Tony-OH]

A little bit of RZNJ just died.

Releases are never fun and obviously you feel for the guy, but he just couldn't hit good off speed pitches. He was a minor league Pedro Cerrano!

Seems like a guy that might be able to have some success in a independent league if he wanted to finish off the season or someone will need some outfield depth at AA or A+ and give him a shot if he wants to finish his season. 

Unfortunately, as good as Elias/Ciolek have been with drafting, they have really struggled with college hitters after the 2nd round. 

I really wonder if they will change up the philosophy a bit and try and find more Darrell Hernaiz's vs the Donta Williams/Watson/Servideo types from that 3rd round on.

[interloper]

On 7/11/2023 at 8:50 AM, Tony-OH said:

I really wonder if they will change up the philosophy a bit and try and find more Darrell Hernaiz's vs the Donta Williams/Watson/Servideo types from that 3rd round on.

I liked that they went pitching in round 3 this year. Don't know if that counts as an adjustment to the philosophy or just how the board fell, but give me a work-in-progress pitcher with a live fastball over some of these iffy college OFs. 

[Tony-OH]

48 minutes ago, interloper said:

I liked that they went pitching in round 3 this year. Don't know if that counts as an adjustment to the philosophy or just how the board fell, but give me a work-in-progress pitcher with a live fastball over some of these iffy college OFs. 

I do think they made an adjustment to philosophy this year. Whether it's a one year thing or decision that they needed higher caliber arms in the system (which is a true statement) and that trading for young controllable pitching is not easy remains to be seen. 

Either way, I much rather go with some higher caliber arms then take shot on guys like Watson or Williams or Servideo in those 3-5 rounds with limited upside.