Tyler Watson

http://www.milb.com/images/663533/t492/180x270/663533.jpg
 

 

Position: SP
B/T: R/L

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 200 lbs. 
Birthday: May 22, 1997 AGE: 21 season

 

Acquired on July 31, 2017 in exchange for RP Brandon Kintzler. 34th round draft pick in 2015 by the Washington Nationals. 

Starting the year in Cedar Rapids, and hopefully making his way to Fort Myers at some point in the season. 

If you're looking for a surprise breakout prospect for the Twins' starting rotation, you came to the right place! Prior to the 2017 season, John Sickels labeled Watson as a SLEEPER candidate for a breakout year. Since I have not seen Tyler throw a single pitch, let's let John break down this player:

 

 

34th round pick in 2015 from high school in Gilbert, Arizona; would have gone 30 rounds higher except he was committed to Loyola Marymount; signed for $400,000; 6-5 southpaw with strong ’16 campaign, 2.64 ERA with 64/15 K/BB in 58 innings between NY-P and Low-A, 46 hits, just one homer; low-90s heat with more projectable; already throws strikes with strong curveball, change-up coming along; highly intriguing prospect with breakthrough potential.

 

Watson certainly looks durable so far in his career. In 2017, he made 23 appearances, 22 of them starts, and put up this stat line:

120.1 IP - 4.34 ERA - 116 K - 32 BB - 1.26 WHIP -  .260 BAA

While his velocity isn't overpowering, there's plenty of time left for him to grow into his body, and gain another tick or 2 on his fastball. Prior to being traded to Minnesota, he was named an ALL STAR for Washington's Class A affiliate! From what I'm reading, Watson's control is his strong suit, as he's able to locate his pitches to all quadrants of the strike zone. 

In my uneducated opinion, he sounds like Stephen Gonsalves with a better curveball. Not too shabby of a return for a rental player at the trade deadline! 

And now, some fun videos! 

Here's a video of Watson warming up, and pitching to a New York Yankees' prospect. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8078122o6kA

 

If you're a Twitter person looking to follow him, too bad! I couldn't find him. 

 

Watson has an interesting wind up with the extra leg kick before he steps and throws.

So much of his potential is based on physical projection, but I'm a big fan of Watson and the trade that brought him here. Seems like he's really flown under the radar on these boards, but hopefully that won't be the case this time next year.

I'm getting a little bit of a Roger Maris vibe from your guy.

 

So much of his potential is based on physical projection, but I'm a big fan of Watson and the trade that brought him here. Seems like he's really flown under the radar on these boards, but hopefully that won't be the case this time next year.

He's pretty thin now, so I'm interested to see how he looks when he gains another 15-20 lbs.