First Pitch 2021 MLB Mock Draft: Predicting the top-5

MLB Mock Draft: Baltimore Orioles select Kahlil Watson

“As Orioles GM Mike Elias has shown during his tenure, the exercise of going under slot in the first round is one the team is comfortable with. To build a healthy farm system, a team has to be successful in the later rounds of the draft and a prep bat like Kahlil Watson may afford the team some extra cash in those spots. According to Prospects Live, Watson has “impressive raw power” and presents a similar skill set to Miami Marlins infielder Jazz Chisholm.” – Birds Watcher site editor Arrick Joel

Watson being coined a discount pick isn’t fair to him, as he’s ranked No. 4 per MLB.com’s prospect rankings for this draft class.

While only being listed at 5-foot-9, Watson has plenty of potential in the field. He’s improved his speed immensely in his senior season. He’s listed as a shortstop, but Watson’s tools make him the perfect pseudo-utility player, though perhaps more talented than most in that sense.

Watson has a surprising amount of power for his frame, making the Jose Altuve comparisons less-than-audacious for this prep bat out of North Carolina.

Baltimore could do far worse than selecting Watson, even though he comes at a discount. It’s the best of both worlds.