Continuing my tour around North Carolina last week, I got to see a first-round prospect, the state’s top catchers and a righty who ran his fastball up to 97.

For starters, SS Kahlil Watson (Wake Forest HS, NC) established himself as a first-round pick last summer, showing premium bat speed from the left side and an up-the-middle profile. That bat speed produced loud contact Friday night, as he hit a fly ball double to left, a laser home run to right and another laser off the wall in right-center field that resulted in a single. He doesn’t get cheated at the plate, whipping the barrel through the zone with intent and taking a middle to pull approach.  He didn’t get any chances at shortstop in this look, but I saw him make a routine play in a game a couple weeks ago before going to his backhand side to make a sliding stop, hop to his feet and strong throw for an out.