Chase
Watkins

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.