Chase
Watkins

Six-foot-3, 217 pounds with a wide, projectable upper half and durable build. Frame still has room to handle more weight. On this look, Watkins had an incredibly effective and brief outing, needing only 12 pitches to induce back-to-back groundouts and a backwards K. Played catch at 90-92 mph with his fastball, showing a fluid, low effort delivery and clean actions. Arm action is a bit segmented as he gets fully extended and shows the ball behind his back before quickly shortening up into a three-quarters release. It’s more of a stabbing action as opposed to having a continuous arm swing but it works for Watkins. Also flashed a slider at 82-83 which could be considered more of a cutter due to the lack of depth. But, it was highly effective, especially darting in on right handed hitters. His curveball is a true breaking ball at 74-77 with 2/7 shape and tight rotation. Watkins has only logged eight innings so far this season while allowing four hits, four runs, three walks and eight strikeouts.If you take away his poor appearance on March 21 against Washington State where he got dinged up for three hits, three earned runs with two walks, Watkins would have only one hit, one earned run and one walk in seven innings with six punchouts. As the season continues, his current 4.50 ERA should drop to a more appealing number. Even if he doesn’t get a high volume of innings, Watkins is definitely a pro prospect due to his size and stuff. (D Jurik)

Cal Poly signee. 2nd viewing of the season; 6IP, 3H, 0R, 10K, 0BB, 0R; 3-3, 2 IBB, 1RBI. Similar profile in delivery described with 1st start seen. Tall on mound with hands breaking on front leg drop. Similar quick arm from 3/4 and compact action. Showcased dominant outing pounding FB to arm side and mixing in CHG and CB to keep hitters off balance. FB showed more heavy sink and arm side run while working more consistently at upper echelon of velocity range. Pitch was making hitters have ugly swings and was used often. CHG was above average in outing with strong ability to turn over and make pitch dive under bats. Showed more command of pitch and usage in this start. CB was again inconsistent with limited feel; more 1-to-7 action but tendency to pull pitch out of zone glove side with limited feel during outing. Once he knew CB wasn’t working stuck to FB/CHG combo and dominated hitters with these two pitches. Bat showed more compactness in swing and less length from previous viewing. Consistent hard contact lining ball back up middle and over MIF heads into OF. Showed surprising base running reads with agility; multiple stolen bases and showed more athleticism in running stride.

Cal Poly commit. 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame; XL frame with long wingspan and body to be a workhorse pitcher. Needs to continue to add strength/muscle but already showing good athleticism for size. Possible late round draft and follow. 1st start of the season; 5IP, 5H, 4R, 4K, 2BB; 0-2, HBP. Stands tall on mound, hands staying at waist breaking as he drops front leg in slower, more deliberate motion. Throws over stiff front leg getting short extension, showing quick arm from 3/4 with shorter compact action in back. Delivery has deception that plays up with front elbow/glove and late arm. 1st start could have been still feeling delivery. Command in start was below average but improved control each inning. FB 84-87, T88 early but sat 84-85 most of game; short, late arm side action missing up and over the plate. Pitch was flat early and hit. When angle was good tough pitch to square up. CHG 75-79, late drop and arm side sink; great deception from FB, makings of an above average pitch. CB 72-73, slurvy with 2-to-7 break down below zone; more of a chase pitch now but could become average 3rd pitch. Offensively utilizes high leg kick/high hand drop from tall stance. Longer bat path with hand drop. Could see more in bat as season progresses and timing improves.