D.J. Wilson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #25 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Until this past draft, Wilson was the Cubs' highest drafted prep player since Albert Almora in 2012. His time at low Class A South Bend was cut short in 2017 because of a fractured fibula, and he was limited to 64 games at high Class A Myrtle Beach in 2018 because of wrist and hamstring injuries. He made up some of that time with six weeks in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Wilson struggled at the plate in both the regular season and the AFL partly due to issues with pitch recognition and partly because of the way he sets up at the plate. He sets his hands low in his stance, then struggles to get them separated from his body. He's got gap power and above-average speed that gets to plus underway. The speed helps him in center field, where some scouts give him a chance at being a double-plus defender. His throwing arm has improved from 2017 and now ranks as average.
  
  The Future: Wilson will play all of the 2019 season at 22 years old, so a return to high Class A with a chance at Double-A later in the season wouldn't be the worst thing for his development.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #11 prospect in 2018
  A $1.3 million bonus swayed Wilson, a Vanderbilt commit, to sign in 2015; he remains the highest-drafted high school position player for the Cubs since 2012 first-rounder Albert Almora. He missed six weeks with low Class A South Bend due to a fractured fibula and performed better after returning. Wilson has an explosive, athletic but smallish body and has earned comparisons to players from Adam Eaton (a fellow Ohio product) to 2017 first-rounder Jeren Kendall out of Vanderbilt. Wilson is a 70 runner, the fastest prospect in the system, with the potential to be a consistent plus defender in center field if not better. He's a playmaking defender and improving basestealer with power to the gaps. His above-average raw power plays in games more frequently when he slows the game down and stays with an all-fields approach. Wilson needs development time but is all over the Cubs' Best Tools chart. He has the upside to be a big league regular at a premium position. Wilson likely is headed to high Class A Myrtle Beach thanks to his strong finish but will move slower than most Cubs hitting prospects.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #9 prospect in 2017
  Signed away from a Vanderbilt commitment for $1.3 million, Wilson wowed Cubs officials before the draft and in his 2015 pro debut between the Rookie-level Arizona League and instructional league. He got off to a slow start at short-season Eugene in 2016 before making significant progress in the second half, helping the Emeralds win the Northwest League title. Wilson packs power-speed swagger in a smallish frame that evokes Adam Eaton comparisons. He is a dynamic player with bat speed who made adjustments during the season by flattening out what had been a steep bat path. Wilson came to his coaches, took their advice and applied it, lashing line drives to dig out of a 12-for-76 (.158) start. Learning to hit lefthanders (10-for-57, one extra-base hit) will take reps. He has the juice to earn pitchers' respect, though his power will play more to the gaps than over the fence. Defensively, Wilson shines with surprisingly good instincts for a former prep football star, plus speed to run balls down in the gaps and a plus arm. Wilson's aptitude and tools make him a likely future regular, and if he learns to control the strike zone better he could fit the leadoff-hitting center fielder profile. He heads for low Class A South Bend in 2017.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #16 prospect in 2016
  The Cubs liked Wilson before they worked him out before the 2015 draft. After all, the Vanderbilt recruit had most teams interested after using wood bats all spring but still performing well enough at Canton (Ohio) South High to earn second-team All-America honors. Then he dominated their smallgroup, pre-draft workout at Wrigley Field, which included three players the Cubs picked--first-rounder Ian Happ, second-rounder Donnie Dewees and Wilson. Though he's small-bodied and built like a football slot receiver, Wilson has tremendous bat speed, strong wrists and forearms and explosive first-step quickness. His power likely will play out more to the gaps than over the fence, though he dropped several long bombs during his pre-draft workout, showing above-average raw pop. He's a plus runner who gets to top speed quickly and should be an impact basestealer with experience. His defensive instincts in center field stunned club officials who expected him to be less advanced. He has ballhawking ability to go with above-average arm strength as well. Pro pitching took a bit of time for Wilson to adjust to, but he could take off in full-season ball. He'll have to earn a spot on the low Class A South Bend roster, and only his size tempers enthusiasm from scouts.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #178 prospect in 2015 draft
  Wilson is a favorite of many evaluators who have seen him bring his aggressive, dirt-on-the-uniform approach to the field every day. He's undersized (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) but Wilson projects as an above-average center fielder. He's an above-average runner (6.6 in the 60-yard dash) whose speed makes an impact on the basepaths and in the field. And unlike most shorter speed merchants, he has some strength to his swing. He shows excellent bat speed, solid contact skills and has some ability to drive the ball. Wilson is committed to attend Vanderbilt, and players his size are often asked to prove it at the college level before teams are willing to cut a sizable check. But his tools and frame draw comparisons to Adam Eaton and Wilson's decision to use wood bats all spring helped scouts in their evaluations.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Northwest League #13 prospect in 2016
  Signed for $1.3 million last year, Wilson was Eugene's everyday center fielder and thrived away from the pitcher-friendly confines of his home park. At home, he recorded a .567 OPS compared with .829 on the road. Wilson is a slash-and-burn type of hitter with a flat bat path that allows him to spray line drives. He has a bit of sneaky power as well. He's mostly a pull hitter at present but worked diligently to adopt more of an all-fields approach. Wilson will stick in center field with above-average speed and an effortless ability to run down balls in both gaps that recalls his days playing wide receiver in high school. His arm, however, is a tick below-average. His speed and defense could get him to the big leagues as a backup outfielder if his bat doesn't pan out as expected.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Signed away from a Vanderbilt commitment for $1.3 million, Wilson wowed Cubs officials with his workout before the draft and in his pro debut in 2015 between the Rookie-level Arizona League and instructional league. He got off to a slow start at short-season Eugene in 2016 before making significant progress in the second half, helping the Emeralds win the Northwest League title. Scouting Report: One of the organization's top athletes, Wilson packs power-speed swagger in a smallish frame that evokes Adam Eaton. He's a dynamic player with bat speed who made adjustments during the season by flattening out what had been a steep bat path. Wilson failed, came to his coaches, took their advice and applied it, lashing line drives to dig out of a 12-for-76 (.158) start. Learning to hit lefthanders (10-for-57, one extra-base hit) will take reps. He has the juice to earn pitchers' respect, though his power will play more to the gaps than over the fence. Defensively, Wilson shines with surprisingly good instincts for a former prep football star, plus speed to run balls down in the gaps and a plus arm.
  
  The Future: Wilson's aptitude and tools make him a likely future regular, and if he learns to control the strike zone better he could fit the leadoff-hitting center fielder profile. He heads for low Class A South Bend in 2017.