Top 50 Tuesday: Why Kahlil Watson is the most intriguing Guardians prospect

Welcome back to Top 50 Tuesday, your weekly look into the future of the Cleveland Guardians. This week, we’re talking about one of the most intriguing and enigmatic prospects in the system: outfielder Kahlil Watson.

A former first-round pick with an undeniable talent and a few notable red flags, Watson represents a fascinating high-risk, high-reward project for the Guardians' vaunted player development team.

Why Kahlil Watson is the most intriguing Guardians prospect

Just a few years ago, Watson was being talked about as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. But a combination of "makeup concerns" and team's belief they'd be unable to sign him led to him sliding all the way to the Miami Marlins, who took him with the No. 16 pick in the draft. It was a rocky start to his professional career; he struggled to find his rhythm, hitting just .232 in his first full pro season with a startling 35 percent strikeout rate, and even earned a month-long demotion.

But the Guardians, in a classic move, saw an opportunity. They acquired Watson in August 2023 as part of the trade that sent veteran Josh Bell to Miami. Guardians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti was clear on what the team saw in the 5'9", 178-pound dynamo.

"He’s a really athletic, dynamic player that’s got a great set of skills," Antonetti said at the time. "He can really impact the ball, he can run, as I said, he’s very athletic and we’re excited to add him to our system.”

After continuing to struggle upon his arrival in Cleveland's system, the Guardians appear to be turning the corner with Watson. He's making progress while repeating Double-A this year and has recently earned a promotion to Triple-A Columbus.

The quick left-handed swing and plus raw power that made him a top amateur prospect are still there, but he's starting to learn he doesn't have to sell out to hit home runs. This newfound discipline is a key step, as his plate discipline has gotten better in 2025. While strikeouts will always be part of his game, his pull-heavy approach and power potential could lead to 20 homers per season in the future.

He entered play on Tuesday hitting .227 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 29 games at Triple-A this year.

The Guardians have also moved Watson off of shortstop (his original position) and have moved to the outfield full time.

With his solid speed and arm strength, he's a capable defender who can play all three outfield spots. He's an average defender in center, his primary position, and he has the tools to refine his instincts as he gets more experience.

Watson hasn’t quite hit his stride in professional baseball just yet, but he’s still just 22 years old and has the talent to be a special player. His scouting grades show that he has the tools to be a solid big-leaguer, and he is a legitimate top prospect in the organization.

While his major league ETA is still a few years away, the Guardians are optimistic that his athleticism will be a solid addition to their system, and they're hopeful he'll be a key part of their future.