Next up on first-round draft targets for the Red Sox at pick No. 4, is shortstop Kahlil Watson.
Although unlikely, the Wake Forest High School’s left-handed bat has the potential to be the third North Carolina prepster to be drafted first overall in the MLB Draft. The other two that have been selected are Brien Taylor (1991), and Josh Hamilton (1999).
The NC State commit is ranked fourth on MLB.com’s prospect list, despite being ranked as the third shortstop on the list.
Watson’s smooth swing might look very familiar to one’s eye, and that’s because it’s quite similar to the left-handed swing of top Red Sox prospect Jarren Duran. Watson has an aggressive approach at the plate and hits for solid pop despite being just 5-foot-9, while having a decent walk rate.
The 178-pounder is quite the speedster, as Watson has the ability to play almost anywhere although it’s likely the smooth defender will remain a shortstop throughout his career. Watson poses a very big threat on the basepaths, as his combination of both quickness and power might catch Chaim Bloom’s eye.
Despite Fangraphs’ most recent mock draft having Watson falling all the way down to the Rockies at pick number eight, the left-handed hitter is selected second overall to the Rangers in Baseball America’s latest mock draft.
Watson could fall anywhere in the top 10, but the speedster catching Chaim Bloom’s eye if he’s still on the board at pick number four is very much a possibility.