Kahlil Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kahlil Watson |
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| Cleveland Guardians – No. 71 | |||
| Shortstop | |||
| Born: April 16, 2003 Chase City, Virginia |
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Kahlil Lorenzo Watson, born on April 16, 2003, is a talented American professional baseball player. He plays as a shortstop for the Cleveland Guardians team. Kahlil was chosen in the first round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft, which is a big deal for young players hoping to join professional teams. He was first picked by the Miami Marlins.
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Kahlil's Early Baseball Days
Kahlil Watson grew up in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He went to Wake Forest High School where he was a star athlete. Kahlil played both baseball and football during his school years.
High School Baseball Achievements
As a freshman, Kahlil showed great skill in baseball. He hit the ball well, with a .389 batting average. He also hit two home runs and helped his team score 22 runs batted in (RBIs). Plus, he was super fast, stealing 17 bases.
In his second year, Kahlil got even better. His batting average jumped to an amazing .578. He hit six home runs and had 23 RBIs. He also stole 26 bases, showing his speed on the field.
By his senior year in 2021, Kahlil continued to impress. He hit .513 with six more home runs. Before turning professional, he had planned to play college baseball at North Carolina State University.
Kahlil's Professional Baseball Journey
Starting with the Miami Marlins
Kahlil Watson was a highly sought-after player in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft. The Miami Marlins picked him as the 16th overall player. This meant he was one of the top young talents in the country. He signed a contract for $4.5 million to join the team.
Kahlil began his professional career with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Marlins. He played very well in his first nine games. He had a strong batting average of .394 and showed his power with three doubles and two triples. He also stole four bases.
In 2022, Kahlil started the season playing for the Jupiter Hammerheads. This team is part of the Single-A Florida State League. During a game in July, Kahlil had an incident with an umpire that led to him being suspended from the team for a short time. After this, he was moved back to the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Marlins.
Joining the Cleveland Guardians
On August 1, 2023, Kahlil Watson moved to a new team. He and another player, Jean Segura, were traded to the Cleveland Guardians. In return, the Marlins received first baseman Josh Bell. This trade was an exciting new step in Kahlil's professional baseball career.
