Jacob
Watters

2022 MLB Draft: Moved into West Virginia's starting rotation this spring, there's similarities with him and former Mountaineer Alex Manoah who came out of the bullpen as a sophomore before dominating as a starter his junior season. Control is still a concern for Watters with 41 walks in 59.1 IP, but the 6-foot-5, 235 pounder developed more and more feel each time he took the mound. He'll show two swing/miss pitches: A four-seam fastball that routinely sits 95-97 and touches 99-100 and a spiked slider at 85-90 mph with an 1800-1900 rpm spin rate. The pitch has elite depth and break. He also showed a 88-92 mph straight changeup that he didn't need previously out of the pen, but it is still a work in progress. Once gaining steam into Day One, Watters now projects to the third or fourth round this July.

Watters matched Campbell blow-for-blow in this heavyweight bout for most of the night, striking out eight of his own, and allowing just two runs on one walk and six hits over 6.1 innings. Big and physical with an extra large frame at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, the righthander effortlessly lights up the radar gun, playing catch in the mid-90s (2300-2450 spin). A converted reliever, it was encouraging to see him hold the premium velocity for the duration of his start. His 83-86 mph spiked slider has depth and two-plane break, looking like a legitimate out pitch. I only saw one changeup, a flat 81 mph offering that was telegraphed out of his hand. With a career walk rate of 8.3 per 9, the inability to throw strikes consistently has been the knock on Watters. While the command was still below average on Friday, the stuff was impressive, and he worked in and around the zone with more than enough regularity to be effective.

Watters brings straight gas coming out of the bullpen for West Virginia. An intimidating presence at 6-foot-4, 230-pounds, generating big velocity comes easy for the Mountaineers' closer, registering 97 mph on the gun on his first pitch and sitting at 96-98 during his one-inning appearance. His breaking ball is a hard, two-plane slider at 85-88 mph that makes for an especially uncomfortable at-bat. He attacks hitters, working the inside part of the plate to both right and lefthanded batters and proved to be nearly unhittable in this look, striking out the first two batters he faced before inducing a weak ground ball to secure a WVU win. His stuff, presence and attack mode are all perfectly suited for short relief at the next level. (Ebert)

Cape Cod- Electric in a short three-outing stint at Chatham, striking out 11 in six innings of work, though he also walked eight. Worked at 96-98 mph with a hammer curveball and the makings of a promising curveball. He's very physical at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, and he has the look of a shutdown closer in the making.

Six-foot-5 200-pound, right-hander presents with a long, athletic frame. Delivery is low effort with loose arm action and is repeated well. Excellent scapular load and shoulder/hip separation are achieved. There is solid balance and rhythm. Fastball sat 89-91 mph touching 92 with late life. Curveball was commanded inconsistently but flashed tight spin, late,sharp break and good depth with 11/4 shape. Splitter at 76-77 remains work in progress. Watter's present velocity, with more in the tank, combined with frame and arm action make him an interesting sleeper in Class of 2019.