Chase
Watkins

After appearing at the PBRT Wisconsin Open in late June, RHP Chase Watkins (Eau Claire North, 2024) came into Tuesday’s event as a ranked right-handed pitcher in Wisconsin’s 2024 class. During his session on the mound, Watkins backed up the notion of being ranked as he turned heads and garnered attention. The incoming senior features a side-step windup with a tucked leg kick and a closed stride that guides him through his delivery. The arm works through a full arm arc and shows loose traits along with coming out of a stock slot. The Eau Claire North hurler worked his fastball in the low-80s as it played with life and rode through the zone. Watkins mixes in a curveball and a splitter to go with his fastball. The curveball shows a 11/5 action that he has a clear feel for placement with. As for the splitter, there is a clear feel for the pitch with depth throughout the zone. Watkins remains a name-to-know in Wisconsin’s incoming senior class, especially in the northwest region of the state.

Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Lean, well-proportioned frame with room for added strength. Broad shoulders.
Delivery: Side step windup, tucked leg kick, up and out delivery, closed stride.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm arc, loose, some whip, stock slot.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Rides through the zone. T2194, 2133 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 action, shorter, feel for placement. T2353, 2267 average rpm.
SPLT: 75-78 mph. Depth, feel for the pitch.

RHP/1B Chase Watkins (Eau Claire North, 2024) stands at a lean, wiry and projectable 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Watkins impressed during the hitting portion of the event when he showcased his smooth, loose, free and easy left handed stroke driving balls to all fields, registering a max EV of 90.9 mph and driving the second farthest ball of the event at 333 feet. On the mound, Watkins repeated an athletic delivery with a quick arm and drove his fastball through areas of the zone, topping at 81.6 mph. He flashed a sharp downer breaking ball and a change with quality arm speed. While Watkins did initially catch our staff’s attention as an arm during the summer, he did walk away from Saturday’s event as an intriguing two-way follow after his quality round of BP.

Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Lean, wiry, athletic build, more fill coming.
Delivery: Medium tempo, loose free and easy delivery, on-line to the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Full circle up on time, high 3/4 slot quick arm.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Carry and ability to get through areas of zone. T2115, 2018 average rpm.
CB: 66-70 mph. Sharp 11/5 breaker, late. T2249, 2211 average rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Developing feel, quality arm speed. T1867, 1800 average rpm.

Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Lean, wiry, athletic build, more fill coming.
Hits: LHH. Relaxed setup. Small gather into back leg, rhythmic flow into hitting position, loose free and easy with loft, hitterish.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 86.7 MPH. 333' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-77 mph.Repeats 3/4 slot, shows accuracy.
Defense: Soft hands, quality actions with feel around first base bag.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60.
Vizual Edge: 68.59 Edge Score

Watkins is another name who popped at the Badger State Games this summer and despite playing older competition he did nothing but hold his own. Watkins is listed at a projectable 6-foot-2, 185-pounds and we have seen him up 82 mph and also features a curveball in the mid-60s that plays well off his fastball. After a full off-season of training it wouldn’t be surprising to see his velocity jump when we get our next look at this projectable arm. 

Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 179-pounds. Athletic looking build.
Delivery: Side rocker step, works from first base side of the rubber, loose levers move well down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79.8, 77.6-79.7 mph. Showed arm side run. T2044, 1893 average rpm.
CB: 68.1-69.2 mph. 12/6 shape, short action. T2021, 1875 average rpm.
CH: 73.9-74.9 mph. Fading action, plays to arm-side. T1741, 1665 average rpm.

Hit: LHH. Crouched, slightly open setup. Leg lift trigger. Aggressive foot plant.  Flat barrel set. Connected rotation. Lifting through impact. All fields spray.
Power: 90.3 max exit velocity, averaged 82.8 mph. 256’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Long loop, deep pocket, high slot takes time to develop.
Defense: Average hands play out front, feet delayed at times.
Run: 7.81 runner in the 60.