The Guardians acquired Watson and infielder Jean Segura from the Marlins on Tuesday in exchange for first baseman Josh Bell, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Extremely talented and toolsy, Watson has dealt with his share of attitude issues in pro ball, including a disciplinary-related suspension last season. Watson is batting .206/.337/.362 with seven home runs and 14 steals in 58 games at High-A Beloit this season. He doesn't turn 21 until April, so he still has time to turn things around, but it's a little telling that Miami was willing to sell low on him.
Watson has a .673 OPS and a 30.3 percent strikeout rate over his last 20 games for High-A Beloit.
Watson, who had a memorable play when he stole home to tie a game in the bottom of the ninth inning earlier this month, left a game July 6 after one at-bat and has not played since. No injury has been reported, but it's possible he is dealing with a minor injury or is just getting a chance to clear his head.
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Marlins' Kahlil Watson: Serves as DH for High-A team
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Watson (ankle) returned to the lineup Thursday for High-A Beloit in a 6-4 win over Wisconsin, going 1-for-3 at the plate.
Though he was never placed on Beloit's 7-day injured list, Watson missed just over two weeks of game action with an ankle issue. Beloit deployed the 20-year-old as its designated hitter Thursday, and it wouldn't be surprising if he ducks defensive duties for a few more games before reclaiming everyday duties at shortstop.
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Marlins' Kahlil Watson: Out with ankle injury
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Watson has missed the last week of action for High-A Beloit with an ankle injury, but he has not yet been placed on the injured list, Fish on the Farm reports.
According to the report, the team is monitoring the situation closely and they are hoping to avoid placing Watson on the injured list, but he has not played since April 11. Watson generated buzz with a strong spring training showing and got a vote of confidence with an assignment to High-A as a 20-year-old after striking out 35.5 percent of the time at Single-A last year.
Watson is in the lineup for Single-A Jupiter on Friday.
Watson hit .273/.500/.727 with one home run, five walks and five strikeouts in five games in the Florida Complex League. He was disciplined by the team recently for an incident where he pointed his bat toward an umpire like a gun. Watson hit .221 with eight home runs and a 39.3 K% in 59 games at Single-A earlier this season.
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Marlins' Kahlil Watson: Back in action
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Watson (not injury related) was activated by the Marlins on Friday, Joe Frisaro of ManOnSecondBaseball.com reports.
Watson hasn't played since July 1 due to a disciplinary reason, but he'll return to game action with the Marlins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate after missing three weeks. The 19-year-old appeared in 59 games at Single-A Jupiter earlier in the year and slashed .221/.274/.372 with eight homers, 36 runs, 35 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
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Marlins' Kahlil Watson: Out for disciplinary reasons
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Watson hasn't played for Single-A Jupiter since July 1 due to a disciplinary reason that's being handled internally by the Marlins, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
It's been a frustrating first full pro season for the 19-year-old, who had a hot start but has seen his slash line sink to .221/.274/.372 due to significant contact issues (39.3 percent strikeout rate). There was an incident a couple weeks ago where Watson struck out and aimed his bat like a gun at the first base umpire who ruled that he went around on a check swing. Given his athletic tools and young age, there's still plenty of time for him to put things together, but how Watson responds upon his return will give some insight into his current makeup and maturity.
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Marlins' Kahlil Watson: Whiffing at alarming rate
Rotowire
Watson is hitting .218/.264/.376 with six homers, nine steals and a 9:76 BB:K through 41 games for Single-A Jupiter.
Yes, you read that right -- he's struck out 76 times in 41 games and 178 plate appearances. That's a brutal 42.7 percent clip. Watson has been even worse recently, having whiffed 33 times in his last 69 at-bats over a span of 17 games; he's collected just 11 hits (10 singles and a double) in that span. A first-round pick last year, Watson is still only 19 and has plenty of time to get right in the minors, but his hot first few games of the year feel like a distant memory now.
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Marlins' Kahlil Watson: Slugs fourth homer of year
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Watson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored for Low-A Jupiter in Thursday's game against Fort Myers.
The Marlins' top fantasy prospect has been locked in to begin the season, slashing .391/.440/1.043 through six games with seven of his nine hits (three doubles and four homers) going for extra bases. Watson's even 1-for-1 on stolen base attempts. The performance becomes even more impressive when you consider it's his first time in full-season ball, and he doesn't turn 19 until Saturday. Watson's 2:10 BB:K is cause for concern if it doesn't improve, but he did post an 8:7 mark in 42 plate appearances at rookie ball last year after being selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, so there is reason to think his plate discipline will improve. If he keeps raking, Watson will force a promotion to High-A over the summer in addition to racing up prospect rankings.
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Marlins' Kahlil Watson: Begins season with bang
Rotowire
Watson homered for the second time in as many games Sunday for Low-A Jupiter in a win over Palm Beach.
The 16th overall pick in the 2021 Draft got an aggressive assignment to full-season ball to begin the season despite not turning 19 until later this week, but it's Watson who is dominating older pitchers, not the other way around. He's 4-for-10 with two doubles and two homers through his first three games for the Hammerheads, and while his 1:5 BB:K is a sign that the hot streak could end quickly if he doesn't sharpen his plate discipline, it's hard to argue he shouldn't keep swinging given what's been happening when he makes contact. The Marlins appear to have landed a gem with Watson, but he still remains at least a couple years away from his big-league debut.
