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Twins trade Brandon Kintzler to Nationals for prospect Tyler Watson

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Washington adds bullpen reinforcement from Minnesota in exchange for interesting A-ball pitcher

MLB: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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.