Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

The Reds have had more success over the first two rounds of the Draft lately with hitters, though college arms like Nick Lodolo, Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns have at least touched the big leagues. High school arms, with the very large exception of Hunter Greene, have been harder to come by, with Watson the only prep pitcher other than Greene, to be taken by the club in the top two rounds since 2018. The Reds went over slot to sign Watson, a standout from the Florida high school ranks, for $2.75 million.

While Watson stands out more for his pitchability than his current wow stuff, he is 6-foot-5 and it’s easy to dream on projection with added physicality to that frame. He’s a sinker down-in-the-zone guy, with a low-90s heater that topped out at 95 mph in high school that gets a lot of ground-ball outs. His low-to-mid-80s slider, now his preferred breaking ball, misses a good amount of bats. He didn’t need his mid-80s split-changeup much in high school, but he has one and there’s confidence it will be a third effective offering given his overall feel for pitching.

Watson can fill up the zone with all three of his pitches, showing an ability to repeat his delivery. He might present as a high-floor back-end starter right now, but if he can add strength, there could be a lot more in the tank to come.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

There are high school arms who can really light up radar guns but are very much more throwers than pitchers. Then there are those who have a really good feel for pitching, even if there are prep hurlers with better pure stuff. Watson, who threw well for his Trinity Christian Academy team as a junior at last year's National High School Invitational, falls more into the latter category, though improved stuff to go along with his pitchability had an up arrow next to his name throughout the summer showcase circuit and into his senior year. All of that helped him become the Reds’ second-round pick, one who got a well-above-slot bonus of $2.75 million to sign him away from his commitment to Florida.

Because of his feel for pitching, the 6-foot-5 Watson has a pretty high floor and it's not difficult to imagine a higher ceiling as he adds strength to that frame. He's typically in the low 90s with his fastball, but has been up to 95 mph with more consistent velocity to come. He throws his heater with good sink, getting a lot of ground-ball outs, and complements it with a pair of very effective secondary offerings which flash above-average. He made the switch from curve to slider and can miss bats with his 78-82 mph breaker. He has feel for his mid-80s split changeup, though he doesn't throw it often.

Watson's stuff all plays up because he can really command all three offerings in the zone, repeating his delivery well despite his size. He has long-term starter potential and could really take off as he physically matures.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

There are high school arms who can really light up radar guns but are very much more throwers than pitchers. Then there are those who have a really good feel for pitching, even if there are prep hurlers with better pure stuff. Watson, who threw well for his Trinity Christian Academy team as a junior at last year's National High School Invitational, falls more into the latter category, though improved stuff to go along with his pitchability had an up arrow next to his name throughout the summer showcase circuit, and he didn't hurt himself with another strong NHSI start this spring.

Because of his feel for pitching, the 6-foot-5 Watson has a pretty high floor and it's not difficult to imagine a higher ceiling as he adds strength to that frame. He's typically in the low-90s with his fastball, but has been up to 95 mph with more consistent velocity to come. He throws his heater with good sink, getting a lot of ground-ball outs, and complements it with a pair of very effective secondary offerings which flash above-average. He made the switch from curve to slider and can miss bats with his 78-82 mph breaker. He has feel for his mid-80s split changeup, though he doesn't throw it often.

Watson's stuff all plays up because he can really command all three offerings in the zone, repeating his delivery well despite his size. He's committed to Florida, but his projection and pitchability could intrigue teams to lure him away from that commitment in the first couple of rounds.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	RHP Aaron Watson assigned to Cincinnati Reds Prospects.
	08/04/2025	ACL Reds activated RHP Aaron Watson.
	08/04/2025	ACL Reds activated RHP Aaron Watson.
	07/25/2025	RHP Aaron Watson assigned to ACL Reds.
	07/22/2025	Cincinnati Reds signed RHP Aaron Watson.
	06/02/2025	RHP Aaron Watson assigned to College Workout.
	05/17/2025	High School Workout activated RHP Aaron Watson. Trinity Christian, Jacksonville, FL.
	08/12/2024	RHP Aaron Watson assigned to High School Workout.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated RHP Aaron Watson.
	05/15/2024	RHP Aaron Watson assigned to High School Workout.