Name: Shane Watson
Position: RHP
Bats: RH
Throws: RH
DOB: August 13, 1993
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 200
Acquired: Drafted in the supplemental 1st round (#40 overall), $1.291 million bonus

Pre Draft Report:

Watson’s fastball sits 90-93 but can touch as high as 96 when needed and was graded to be a plus pitch.  His curveball sits around 80mph and scouts believe it could become a second plus pitch.  He has some feel for a changeup but it is still a work in progress.  Scouts liked his prototypical size as his delivery.  He has some problems with command and control but he still is young with time to improve.

Fastball: Coming out of high school Watson’s fastball was 90-92 touching 94.  He has shown the potential for the pitch to sit plus when he is fully healthy.  Right now it is more 92-94 touching 96, but the velocity was down in some of his starts.  55/60

Changeup:  Watson barely used a changeup in high school, and much of his work in Lakewood was on developing a feel for the pitch.  At times he overused it, but it started to look more like a usable pitch.  At this point it should be above average, but it will need more development to be a real weapon. 45/55

Curveball: Watson might have had the best curveball of any high school pitcher in the 2012 draft.  It can get a bit long and loopy at times, but it should be a plus pitch long term.  The Phillies limited its use in 2012 while he worked on the changeup and fastball command, but it should be a larger part of his arsenal going forward. 55/60

Cutter:  Out of high school Watson showed feel for a cutter, that had some potential to be a useful or better pitch.  The Phillies have scrapped the pitch for now, but could try to bring it back later.

Summary: There is plenty of upside in Watson’s profile, maybe as high as a #2/#3 starter.  It is a classic power pitcher’s build and he has the plus FB/BB combination to be effective.  He is going to need to put it all to work on the field.  The problem has been health, where a diagnosis of diabetes and shoulder surgery to reduce inflammation have kept him off the field.

Summary:  Watson has two potential plus pitches but he his very far away from being a finished product.  All caveats about young pitchers and injury apply.  It is too early to make any definitive assessments of Watson’s tools.

Upside:  Watson has #2 starter upside but he is eons away.  He will likely open the year in Lakewood where it will be seen what his profile is going forward.  It is possible that the grades on Watson’s pitches will change as he matures.

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Profile updated: 10/10/12