Kahlil Watson has golden opportunity to be a force in the Guardians’ lineup in 2026

Kahlil Watson joined the Guardians system at arguably one of the lowest points in recent Cleveland Guardians memory. 

On Aug. 1, 2023, the Guardians acquired Watson in exchange for Josh Bell in a trade that confirmed the Guardians wouldn’t be making a run at the American League Central crown despite being just two games behind the Twins at the time.

That trade, combined with their trade of Aaron Civale to the Rays and Amed Rosario to the Dodgers, led to a near-mutiny in the clubhouse that resulted in Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff flying to Houston to address the team.

But even if that trade deadline led to Framber Valdez throwing a no-hitter against a Guardians lineup that looked like it would have rather been anywhere but in the batter’s box, it’s beginning to look like a trade deadline that’s helped set the Guardians up for future success. 

While Kyle Manzardo (the return for Civale) has already slugged 32 home runs for the Guardians, Watson was added to Cleveland’s 40-man earlier this week to protect him for the Rule 5 Draft, which puts him on the precipice of making his big league debut. 

Kahlil Watson could help lead the Guardians' offense in 2026

Although Watson is just 22 years old, the 2026 season will mark his sixth season in organized baseball after the Marlins drafted him in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft. 

After spending all of the 2024 season at Double-A Akron, he reached Triple-A for the first time last year and hit .255 with eight home runs and 25 RBI across 43 games. And, as veteran Guardians beat reporter Paul Hoynes mentioned on a new episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast, he could be a huge help for the Guardians next season. 

“They moved (Watson) to the outfield this past season and he showed some power. Sixteen home runs, a bunch of doubles, some triples,” Hoynes said. “A former number one pick of the Marlins that they got in the Josh Bell trade. And they’re looking for help in the outfield. They certainly need it.”

As mentioned by Hoynes, Watson has a clear path to help the Guardians thanks to the lack of production they got from their outfielders last season. Cleveland’s outfielders hit just .223 last season despite the presence of Steven Kwan in left field, while their right fielders combined for a wRC+ of 69, meaning they were 31% worse than league average. 

Although Watson is still a work in progress as an outfielder after beginning his career as an infielder, his power is legit enough that the Guardians should be willing to put up with his defensive deficiencies. 

Chase DeLauter and George Valera will likely get the first crack at earning outfield spots after making late-season cameos in 2025, but Watson isn’t far behind them. 

Antonetti has already said that the Guardians’ front office is planning on turning over every rock possible to try to upgrade the outfield, but having Watson in the fold means that the internal options will be even better as well.