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The Miami Marlins are reportedly nearing a deal with the biggest steal in the 2021 MLB Draft by signing Kahlil Watson.
Kahlil Watson was selected by the Miami Marlins with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Projected in many mock drafts to go inside the top 10, FanGraphs had Watson as high as their fourth-ranked prospect going into the MLB Draft.
Watson was widely considered the steal of the draft when the Marlins selected him at pick No. 16. As is the same with all high school draft prospects, fear of not signing due to a commitment to NC State potentially caused him to fall in the draft.
Derek Jeter and Kim Ng were not scared of this consequence. They saw a tremendous talent available to them, and they took Watson. Marlins director of amateur scouting DJ Svihlik was even quoted after the selection was made that the Marlins were “very surprised he was available.”
Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reported on Wednesday that the Marlins were expected to sign Watson before the deadline, which is on August 1 for draft picks. Obviously this was outstanding news for the Marlins, as Watson will boost the Fish’s offensive firepower in the farm system.
Marlins are closing in on a deal with 2021 1st round pick Kahlil Watson per sources. Agreement now expected before the deadline.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 28, 2021
At only 18 years old, Watson will instantly become one of the Marlins top overall prospects. During his high school career, he hit for a .477 AVG with 16 HR’s and 61 SB’s. In 15 games played during his senior year, Watson hit for a .513 AVG with 6 HR’s and 15 SB’s.
According to multiple reports from The Athletic’s Jim Bowden and MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, Watson and the Marlins are in agreement on a deal that is pending a physical.
The #Marlins and Kahlil Watson have agreed to terms pending a physical according to sources.
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) July 31, 2021
1st-rder Kahlil Watson & @Marlins are nearing an agreement, pending a physical. Most Miami can pay him w/o exceeding its pool by more than 5% & forfeiting a future 1st-rder is $4,540,790. Expect the North Carolina HS SS to get every penny. Slot 16 value = $3,745,500. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 31, 2021
Mish earlier today confirmed that Watson is in Miami today taking the physical, and that the deal should be announced at some point tomorrow.
Watson is in Miami taking his physical. The deal will be announced tomorrow. 👇🏼 https://t.co/qpfpnK7bPs
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 31, 2021
NOTE: This post will be updated with the details when the deal is officially announced.
The Marlins have struggled offensively this season, and while Watson may not help in the big leagues immediately, he will be a massive part of the future of the organization. Plain and simple, Watson is the type of talent you build around, and will be one of the top prospects in the sport from day one.
In five years the Marlins infield can have a foundation of Jazz Chisholm and Watson, hopefully with more bats like Lewin Diaz developing. The infield in particular is bright for the Marlins, and it may even have aspirations to be the best power-hitting infield for the Marlins since 2008.