Hard-throwing Mets prospect Will Watson opening eyes in first full professional season

As the Mets' now-vaunted pitching development program continues to turn less-heralded free agent signings into impact arms while helping their recent draftees and international signings make the most of their talent, there is another young pitcher starting to open eyes.

Will Watson.

Watson, a hard-throwing 22-year-old right hander, is pitching for A-ball St. Lucie in what is his first full professional season. And he's excelling.

Through seven appearances (five starts, two relief outings) over 28.2 innings, Watson has posted a 2.77 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while striking out 32 batters and giving up just one home run.

In his most recent start, on May 14, Watson -- who is still getting fully stretched out as a starter -- spun 4.2 innings of shutout ball.

Watson was selected by the Mariners in the 20th round of the 2023 MLB Draft after stints with California Lutheran and San Joaquin Delta College, but didn't sign. Instead, he attended USC the next season before entering the 2024 MLB Draft.

It was there that the Mets pounced in the seventh round, adding Watson to a stable of high-upside minor league arms.

And Watson is getting comfortable in the organization, describing 2025 as "just another year of baseball," adding: "It’s just being around the guys. It’s a lot of fun. There’s nothing better than playing ball every day."

Watson is also taking advantage of the Mets' aforementioned pitching development.

"I’ve found it very encouraging for sure," he told SNY. "I think myself and my fellow teammates – I don’t think there’s a spot they’d rather be. It’s been very promising. I’ve learned so much so far – so much. It’s been amazing. I’ve figured out so much about myself – internal and external – about pitching. It’s been great so far."

In the midst of being converted to a full-time starting role after spending the earlier part of his career bouncing back and forth between the rotation and bullpen (Watson was a reliever only for California Lutheran in 2022 and had a hybrid role for USC in 2024), the right-hander is undaunted by the new challenge the Mets are giving him.

"It’s been pretty easy, honestly, just because I’ve done it my entire life," Watson explained. "I’ve kind of done both my entire life, just from playing the field and relieving in games. Or starting in high school. I relieved my freshman year of college and then when I was at my junior college I would relieve and start there. So I’ve kind of done it all throughout the whole process. Wherever they need me, I’ll jump in."

As Watson has gotten acclimated to professional ball, his arsenal has seen an uptick in velocity -- from his fastball to his secondary offerings.

The fastball now sits in the mid-90s with regularity and will touch 97 mph. Meanwhile, Watson's secondary offerings -- including a changeup, slider, and cutter -- have also ticked up.

Watson attributes the increased velocity to work in the weight room, as well as adjusting his pitch shapes and making some grip changes.

As far as a pitcher whose style Watson is trying to emulate, he cited Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo, who has been a dominant force the last two seasons for Seattle.

"He’s been dealing, it’s been pretty cool to watch," Watson said. "He looks super calm up on the mound. Just knows exactly what he’s doing and exactly what he’s trying to do."

When it comes to Watson's pitch mix and how he likes to attack hitters, let's have him take us through it...

“I love using my fastball, just because it's something I’ve always been very comfortable with," he noted. "My changeup has always been super comfortable for me as well. Started to really develop it last year. I just throw it like my fastball – I think that’s why it’s so deceivable to hitters. And it spins a lot, so you can’t really see the spin.

"And then my slider lately has been working really well off that new cutter that I’ve been throwing. Still trying to find the right group for that and when to throw that, because it is still really new. But I do like to mix that in kind of in between the fastball and slider. Slider for sure to really both sides -- steal strikes to lefties, put-away for righties.

"Changeup – I like to throw that to righties, just to keep them off balance instead of looking out over the plate. Try to bring it in to them. Keep them off balance there. Fastball – just try to get ahead of counts. Weak contact is what I’m really looking for."

Asked whether there was any specific facet of his game he was intent on improving this season, Watson said his focus was more wide-ranging.

"A lot. That’s my goal every day," Watson explained. "I like to improve, I like to get better. Even if I have a good outing, I’m like 'what can I do to get better? What can I do to get better?' I think after every outing I go back and look at film with my coach to say 'what can we change here. What can we change here?'

"I think the biggest one that’s a continuous build is always the mental game. I don’t think there’s any time that you’re ever gonna be 100 percent on that. I think the mental game of just being true to yourself, and being who you are on a continuous basis. It’s hard to do in this game, because it really eats you up. So that’s something I’m always trying to build on."

When Watson isn't on the mound or working to get better, he relaxes by playing video games, reading, and drawing. In the offseason, he spends lots of time hunting and fishing.

And as he starts to inch closer to making his ultimate goal come true, Watson is keeping his eye on the prize.

It's possible he'll make it to High-A Brooklyn and even Double-A Binghamton by the time the 2025 season ends, but Watson hasn't yet thought about what it might be like to pitch for the Mets at Citi Field.

"I kind of thought about visiting the field and seeing what life would be like there. But I kind of want to hold off on that until that day comes" Watson said. "The first day that I’m called up, that’s the first day I’m at Citi Field. I just want that to be the reality.

"I haven’t really allowed myself to be like 'oh, I want to be at Citi Field' yet. Because I know inside I have so much work to do. But every day it’s the goal to get there. That’s my goal every day. I want to help this team win in any way that I can."