2024 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #18 INF/OF Kahlil Watson

Can the Guardians help Kahlil Watson unlock all of his offensive gifts?

Justin Lada

Mar 28, 2024

Kahlil Watson Bio

Age (2024 season): 21
Acquired: Trade - Miami (Josh Bell)
2023 Level: High-A
Height: 5’10
Weight: 189
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Kahlil Watson Stats

PA: 347
AVG/OBP/SLG: .217/.329/.406
2B: 13
HR: 14
SB: 25/30
K%/BB%: 26.2%/11.3%

Kahlil Watson 2024 Scouting Grades

Hit: 40
Power: 55
Speed: 60
Defense: 50
Arm: 55
Overall: 40
Risk: Extreme
ETA: 2026

Build & Background

Athletic build in a compact frame. Not much room for projection left. Good strength in a smaller frame, especially in lower half. Twitchy athlete with good rotational ability. Evident bat speed in swing. Moderate weight transfer. Watson was the Marlins first round pick (16th overall) in 2021. He was in the conversation for the top pick that year. After struggling with the Marlins system and some rumored coaching issues, Cleveland acquired Watson in exchange for Josh Bell.

What Watson Does Well

Athletically, Watson is something of a toolshed. Don’t judge him by his frame. There’s good raw power in that frame thanks to good bat speed and his rotational ability. He’s also an easy plus runner. Watson has more than enough range to play on the left side of the infield. He’s a potential 20-20 player tools wise. Watson shows enough power to all fields and loft in his swing to get the ball in the air to max out his power when he makes contact.

Where Watson Needs to Improve

An aggressive approach has gotten Watson in trouble in his career. He’s got some swing and miss issues as well, unafraid to chase heat high and unable to lay off offspeed stuff in the dirt. In zone, he’s able to make contact, but chasing and not getting himself into good counts is where he’s getting in trouble right now. Susceptible to changeups. Lacks consistency in throwing accuracy at short and hands could be better.

Key Stats

Watson hit five homers in 23 games with Lake County after the trade, hitting seven in 243 games with Beloit.

Intangibles

Watson was suspended by the Marlins after an on-field incident that involved reportedly pointing his bat at an umpire. He reportedly also had some run-ins with the Miami coaching staff. But since he’s been in Cleveland, everyone has suggested that things with Watson are going well. He’s been coachable and has been forthcoming about even moving to the outfield.

Future

A more permanent move to center makes a lot of sense for Watson. For 2024, he’ll still see time on the infield too. But either way he projects as a high-risk up the middle star. He’s got to improve his approach and make more contact still to get to all of his offensive gifts. There’s a lot of upside here and even though it’s difficult to help players make more contact and improve their approach, I’m pretty hopeful about Watson’s outlook, especially if any maturity issues are behind him. He could start in Double-A Akron but don’t be surprised to see him log some time in High-A against first.

Role

40 - 20/20 up the middle player with a high risk of failing due to approach and contact issues.