CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 23: Kahlil Watson #31 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at Rate Field on June 23, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)
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The Cleveland Guardians are reeling from injuries to three of their best offensive players.
Chase DeLauter, Jose Ramirez, and Angel Martinez were all injured during the same game against division rival Detroit Tigers.
DeLauter sustained a right rib cage fracture/bruise when colliding with the right field wall.
Ramirez broke his left hamate bone on a swing.
Martinez suffered a non-displaced left foot fracture from a foul ball.
DeLauter returned to the Guardians lineup June 28. The other two players remain on the Injured List.
Challenged to score runs even before that fateful Saturday of injuries, the Guardians have been forced to rely upon young prospects to make contributions to the team.
The Cleveland Guardians have a talented farm system, with several prospects at or near major league readiness.
Two of the most prominent Cleveland prospects were promoted in June.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JUNE 26: Cooper Ingle #30 of the Cleveland Guardians runs off the field after the fourth inning of his Major League debut against the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field on June 26, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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Cleveland promoted solid hitting catcher/designated hitter/left fielder Cooper Ingle from Triple-A Columbus on June 26.
He is just beginning his big league career.
The team had already called upon outfielder Kahlil Watson from Columbus on June 17.
For his part, Kahlil Watson has been outstanding. In virtually every phase of the game.
mlbpipeline.com lists Watson as the No. 12 Cleveland prospect.
The left-handed hitting Watson, who turned 23 in April, is 5-9. 178 pounds.
Watson said this to sports yahoo.com about his first big league hit on June 22.: “I just wanted to be aggressive and just come up in a big spot and just do a job. I think I did it.”
DENVER, CO – JULY 11: Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announces Kahlil Watson as the sixteenth overall pick for the Miami Marlins during the 2021 Major Leauge Baseball Draft at Bellco Theater at Colorado Convention Center on Sunday, July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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About Cleveland Guardians Rookie, Kahlil Watson:
Watson was a 1st round draft choice of the Miami Marlins in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft, out of Wake Forest (North Carolina) High School.
Watson played both baseball and football in high school.
Watson hit .513, with six home runs as a senior. He had a commitment to attend North Carolina State University, which he canceled to sign with the Marlins.
Selected with the No. 16 slot in the draft, Watson received a $4,540,790 signing bonus from Miami.
An excellent high school athlete, Watson was selected as a shortstop.
At the time of his selection, Baseball America gave Watson a scouting grade of 60, which equates to a player with multiple major league tools, capable of being selected to All Star games.
thecomback.comspeaks of an incident involving Watson when Watson was playing for the Marlins Single-A affiliate in Jupiter, Florida in July 2022. “Watson lost his cool after a close check-swing call went against him…Watson responded to striking out by pointing the bat at the first-base umpire …pretending it was a gun.”
Watson was ejected from the game, and suspended.
On August 1, 2023, the Marlins traded Watson, along with infielder Jean Segura to the Guardians for first baseman, Josh Bell.
Cleveland Guardians’ Kahlil Watson looks on after flying out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
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Scouting Report For Cleveland Guardians Rookie, Kahlil Watson:
Watson caught the eyes of scouts while on the summer showcase circuit. He was projected to be a very high draft choice in June 2021. He fell a bit in the draft, and the Marlins grabbed him at No. 16 overall.
Watson was always known for incredibly quick hands and outstanding bat speed.
That holds true to this day.
Watson has the ability to take any type pitch where it is thrown, using the entire field with line-drive darts off the barrel.
Watson has outstanding plate discipline, knows the strike zone well, and won’t offer at pitches he can’t drive.
Watson has great strength in his frame, and his sweet, compact swing does damage to baseballs. With his powerful swing, Watson could hit 25 home runs or more every year.
Watson has enough speed to steal plenty of bases, or take an extra base when his excellent baseball instincts indicate it is appropriate.
Watson plays superb defense, using his speed, and excellent reactions to track down balls. He doesn’t get fooled by the trajectory of the baseball.
Watson played both second base and shortstop in both the Marlins and Guardians farm system.
In 2024, Watson began playing the outfield while at Double-A Akron in the Cleveland organization. Showing his versatility, Watkins played second base, third base, shortstop, left field and center field at various times that season.
In 2025, Cleveland used Watson exclusively in the outfield, and he added right field to his position depth.
The Guardians can now deploy Kahlil Watson anywhere in their outfield. He’s that good. And that talented.
Scouting Grade For Cleveland Guardians Rookie, Kahlil Watson: Grade 60
The Cleveland Guardians prospects are outstanding. Watson among them.
This old scout is very bullish on Watson. He has everything required to be a future All Star.
Watson can hit for a solid batting average, with power. He has superb speed, plays outstanding outfield defense, and has a solid throwing arm.
Cleveland Guardians rookie, Kahlil Watson is flashing very impressive major league tools. He’s a winner.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
