Kahlil Watson

Kahlil Watson
Cleveland Guardians – No. 71
Shortstop
Born: (2003-04-16) April 16, 2003 (age 21)
Chase City, Virginia
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Kahlil Lorenzo Watson (born April 16, 2003) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the Cleveland Guardians organization. He was selected in the first round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft by the Miami Marlins.

Amateur career

Watson attended Wake Forest High School in Wake Forest, North Carolina.[1][2] He played both baseball and football. As a freshman, Watson hit .389 with two home runs, 22 runs batted in (RBIs) and 17 stolen bases. As a sophomore he hit .578 with six home runs, 23 RBI and 26 stolen bases.[3] In 2021, as a senior, he hit .513 with six home runs.[4] He committed to North Carolina State University to play college baseball.[5]

Professional career

Miami Marlins

Watson was selected 16th overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[6][7][8] He signed for $4.5 million.[9] He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Marlins, slashing .394/.524/.606 with three doubles, two triples, five RBIs and four stolen bases over nine games.[10] He opened the 2022 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Single-A Florida State League.[11] During a game on July 1, Watson struck out on a check swing and subsequently pointed his bat at the first base umpire as if it were a gun and made a shooting gesture.[12] He was suspended from the team although he was not placed on the temporarily inactive list.[13] On July 22, he was demoted to the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Marlins where he played his first game since July 1.[14]

Cleveland Guardians

On August 1, 2023, Watson and Jean Segura were traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for first baseman Josh Bell.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Cougar baseball player sets his sights on MLB Draft | The Wake Weekly". restorationnewsmedia.com. 20 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Wake Forest high school baseball star doesn't mind all the attention". June 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "This NC high school shortstop is a top prospect in the 2021 MLB Draft. How high can he go?".
  4. ^ "Wake Forest SS, NC State commit Kahlil Watson picked 16th in MLB Draft by Marlins". 11 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Wake Forest SS Kahlil Watson commits to NC State". www.highschoolot.com. November 30, 2019.
  6. ^ Fowler, Chapel. "This NC high school shortstop is a top prospect in the 2021 MLB Draft. How high can he go?". The Fayetteville Observer.
  7. ^ "Top Baseball Draft Prospects". MLB.com.
  8. ^ Collazo, Carlos (15 March 2021). "2021 MLB Draft Stock Watch: A Historic High School Shortstop Class?". www.baseballamerica.com.
  9. ^ "Marlins Sign First-Rounder Kahlil Watson". August 2021.
  10. ^ "Kahlil Watson guide". MLB.com.
  11. ^ "Marlins' Kahlil Watson: Begins season with bang". 11 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Offishial news: Fourth place entering Fourth of July; Watson did WHAT?!". 4 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Minor leaguer still suspended after shocking threat towards umpire". 8 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Marlins on the Move: 7/18-7/24". 25 July 2022.
  15. ^ Noga, Joe (August 2023). "Guardians trade 1B Josh Bell to Miami for veteran infielder, former top prospect". Cleveland.com.