Xavier
Watson

7/10/18 - University of Illinois commit. 6-foot, 190-pound, right-handed hitting middle infielder, carries lean strength. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, short stride, lower half works. Gap to gap hitter, line drive approach, above average bat speed. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with reliable hands through the baseball, can profile at any infield spot. Arm carries well, short loose ation from over the top slot. Throws topped 83 mph across the diamond. 7.11 runner in the 60.

2/25/18 - Illinois commit. 6-foot, 190-pound shortstop, athletic build, lean strength, above average build with projection. Right-handed hitter, athletic setup, leg lift trigger, excellent balance. Loose athletic hands, creates easy bat speed. Hard contact with occasional pop to pull side, contact is on time and repeats, 98 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at shortstop, natural athletic actions, plays through the baseball cutting down angles, quick feet and hands. Arm played at 84 mph across the diamond with carry and accuracy, athletic arm action. 6.97 runner in the 60.

2/26/17 - Illinois commit. 6-foot, 180-pound shortstop, athletically built frame with projection, added strength to his frame this offseason. Bat looked strong and improved, consistent hard contact to pull side. Hits out of a balanced setup, quiet, short lift, excellent balance. Path is short and level, backspins the baseball, line drive type hitter. Fast bat with quick athletic hands, 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively is a plus defender, hands are soft and confident, quick hands get rid of the baseball efficiently and athletically on the move. Controls body well and shows above average range to both sides.  Arm showed carry at 82 mph across, short over the top slot. 7.18 runner in the 60.

9/5/16 - Verbally committed to Illinois.

7/26/16 - 5-foot-11, 175-pound shortstop, lively/loose athletic body, lean strength for his age. High follow 2019 prospect. Defensively moves well laterally, athletic defender on the move, hands are soft, cushions the baseball, quick release. Feet are quick, sets them up to play through, shuffles through to release, can eliminate steps to release on routine plays. Arm action is athletic, can play from multiple slots, loose arm quick release, carries across, 79 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, simple quiet setup, stays on balance. Bat path stays through the hitting zone, short to the baseball, line drive gap to gap hitter. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Went 3-for-6 in game play with a double and two RBI.

2/28/16 - 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Defensively has a short, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws showed carry throwing 82 mph across the infield. Athletic actions playing thru the ball with fluid footwork and soft, sure hands. Showed good body control on run thru. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load and short stride. Loose, athletic swing with a fast bat. Short, level swing path with fluid rhythm and an advanced approach. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.34. One of the top middle infield prospects in Wisconsin’s 2019 Class.

2/8/15 - 5-foot-8, 145-pound middle infielder, young body, still maturing. Younger brother of 2016 Illinois commit Cyrillo Watson. Highly projectable and advanced for his age. Defensively showed soft hands, quick fluid footwork, plays through the baseball. Footwork sets up to field well, ran the 60 at 7.64. Arm action is short, over the top slot, arm played at 73 mph across the diamond. Apparent to see he trains with much older prospects, actions mimick that of Gavin Lux. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth loading action and short stride, confident in the box. Repeatable swing and stays on top of the baseball. Bat speed is present for age, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. High follow 2019 prospect.

2/9/14 - 5-foot-3, 120-pound middle infielder, advanced for age. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, smooth loading action, short stride, advanced setup for age. Excellent balance and rhythm, line drive hitter with short level bat path. 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively has advanced infield actions for his age, soft hands, plays through the baseball well. Active feet, moves well through the baseball. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 66 mph across the diamond.