Josh Wilson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #12 prospect in 2005
  No Marlins prospect did a better job of reestablishing himself in 2004 than Wilson. After falling to No. 21 on this list a year ago, Wilson came back focused and ready. He showed more patience at the plate, used the whole field and did a better job of staying on top of the ball. His reemergence allowed the Marlins to trade Triple-A shortstop Wilson Valdez to the White Sox for reliever Billy Koch. Wilson moved up to Albuquerque, and the Isotopes hardly missed a beat. Wilson improved his basestealing skills, and some think he could steal 25 bases a year. He projects as a solid No. 2 hitter in the mold of Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson (no relation), though Josh is more patient. Wilson is strong-willed and set in his ways at times, in part because he has been around the game so long. His father Mike is the baseball coach at Duquesne and remains a strong influence. Wilson was slated to play second base in the Arizona Fall League, but a pulled ribcage muscle caused him to miss the bulk of the season. The Marlins still feel he has enough arm and range to play shortstop in the big leagues.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #21 prospect in 2004
  After breaking into the top 10 on this list a year ago, Wilson took a decided step backward in 2003. He missed the last month with a broken left hand after being hit by a pitch, but the frustration already had taken hold. Wilson showed a nagging inability to identify strikes, refused to take his walks and fell into a disturbing pattern of lofting easy fly balls to the opposite field. Wilson's father Mike is the baseball coach at Duquesne University and remains a strong influence on his son's career. Some wonder if that connection hasn't slowed Josh's progress. He's resistant to suggested changes to his inside-out swing, which can get long and loopy, and he refuses to lift weights seriously. Tall and thin, he still needs to add upper-body strength. He's an average runner and poor basestealer. Though he has shown he can play second base, he is expected to remain at shortstop, where he reminds some of the Pirates' Jack Wilson (no relation). Previous comparisons to Jay Bell are no longer offered. Wilson has soft hands, quick feet, plus range and an above-average arm but his bat remains in question. He may need to repeat Double-A, especially if Wilson Valdez starts 2004 in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #10 prospect in 2003
  As the son of Mike Wilson, head baseball coach at Duquesne University, Josh's instincts and makeup are beyond reproach. The rest of his game is catching up as well. He still gets a little too pull-conscious at times, hitting too many balls in the air, but projects to add enough pop to become a Jay Bell/Jeff Blauser middle infielder. While he had a somewhat disappointing season in high Class A, he still showed a line-drive stroke and the ability to make consistently hard contact. He needs to show more patience, however, working deeper counts and drawing more walks. While the previous Marlins regime started playing him at second base with an eye toward the future, those who inherited Wilson view him as a legitimate shortstop. He teamed on the left side of Jupiter's infield with Miguel Cabrera, who made the move from shortstop to third. Wilson has soft hands, quick feet, solid range and an above-average arm. Tall and thin, he still needs to add upper body strength and is just an average runner and poor basestealer. But he's getting better all the time and already carries himself with the confidence of a future big leaguer.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #9 prospect in 2002
  Son of the head baseball coach at Duquesne, Wilson developed quickly thanks to his lineage as well as his time with the U.S. junior national team. His instincts are advanced as a result. Wilson has shown marked improvement each year at the plate. He has shortened his swing considerably, allowing him not only to handle inside pitches but also to drive them into the gaps. He has a strong arm and improved his range after dropping some weight. He has quick feet, good agility and has shown the ability to play either middle-infield position as well as third base. His makeup is first-rate, and he carries himself with the confidence of a future big leaguer. Though he has good gap power, Wilson may never hit many home runs, likely ruling out a permanent move to third. His speed is just average, and he needs to get stronger. Wilson figures to start the year at Brevard County, where he again could team with shortstop Miguel Cabrera. If Cabrera is bumped up to Double-A, Wilson could move back to shortstop full-time. His versatility only increases his value.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #17 prospect in 2001
  Son of the head baseball coach at Duquesne University, Wilson gathered significant experience as a member the U.S. junior national team. He started slowly as a pro but turned up the volume at the plate in his second pro season. He wraps his bat and his swing tends to get a little long, but so far he's been able to get away with it. He ranked among the batting leaders in the New York-Penn League, though pitchers may learn to pound him inside as he climbs the ladder. Wilson's speed is just average and his defense, while steady, probably ranks behind the organization's other top pure shortstops, Luis Ugueto and Derek Wathan. Wilson has a strong arm and average range. He got a taste of the Midwest League when Ugueto suffered a late-season injury, and that's probably where Wilson will open the 2001 season. He's less advanced than Ugueto and Wathan at this point, but easily could climb past them because his overall game has fewer weaknesses.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked New York-Penn League #6 prospect in 2000
  Most of the league's managers didn't realize that Wilson is that son of Mike Wilson, the coach at Duquesne University. Based on their comments, though, they might as well have said, "He plays like a coach's son." Here's a sampling: From Arnold: "He's a tough out. He puts the ball in play, is a plus runner and plays a solid shortstop." From Saul: "He's a kid who I put down as someone who will definitely be in the big leagues. Good contact, good range, good arm. He's a pretty heady player right now, and I think he'll only get better." And Massarelli: "For a young hitter, he's very impressive in an advanced short-season league."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Most of the league's managers didn't realize that Wilson is that son of Mike Wilson, the coach at Duquesne University. Based on their comments, though, they might as well have said, "He plays like a coach's son." Here's a sampling: From Arnold: "He's a tough out. He puts the ball in play, is a plus runner and plays a solid shortstop." From Saul: "He's a kid who I put down as someone who will definitely be in the big leagues. Good contact, good range, good arm. He's a pretty heady player right now, and I think he'll only get better." And Massarelli: "For a young hitter, he's very impressive in an advanced short-season league."