Twins trade Brandon Kintzler to Nationals for prospect Tyler Watson

At the trade deadline the Minnesota Twins traded veteran relief pitcher Brandon Kintzler to the Washington Nationals. In exchange, the Twins receive left-handed pitching prospect Tyler Watson. Who is Tyler Watson? Let’s find out.

Tyler Watson, LHP: The Nationals drafted Watson in the 34th round in 2015 from high school in Gilbert, Arizona. He was committed to Loyola Marymount and considered a difficult sign; he would have gone as high as the fourth round otherwise. The Nationals had a read on his signability and inked him for $400,000.

He posted a 1.88 ERA in 43 innings in the New York-Penn League in 2016, then moved up to Hagerstown in the Low-A South Atlantic League for 2017. He has a 4.35 ERA in 93 innings but with a sharp 98/24 K/BB, something which no doubt stood out to Minnesota’s analytics staff. His fastball is 87-90 but his curveball and change-up are advanced for his age.

Watson is 6-5, 200, born May 22nd, 1997. He may throw harder as he gets older and should be regarded as a nice sleeper prospect.