Drafted in the 1st round (6th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2023 (signed for $5,500,000).
View Draft Report
School: Grand Canyon Source: 4YR
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted Age At Draft: 21.3 BA Grade:55/High Tools:Hit: 60. Power: 40. Run: 50. Field: 55. Arm: 55.
Wilson is the son of 12-year MLB shortstop and all-star Jack Wilson, who joined Grand Canyon’s coaching staff as an assistant prior to the 2023 season. Wilson, like his father, is a talented shortstop who was named to the All-WAC first team in each of his three seasons with GCU and also played with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2022. Elite contact ability is the headlining trait for Wilson, who has hit .361/.419/.558 with a 4.4% strikeout rate in 155 collegiate games. During the 2023 season, Wilson made contact at a 94% overall rate. Against fastballs and on pitches inside the strike zone, that contact rate was up to 97%. Wilson’s elite bat-to-ball skills means he is able to get away with chasing pitches out of the zone at times, and at the next level he might need to become more selective, as he doesn’t have the sort of power to get away with expanding his strike zone. A 6-foot-3, 190-pound hitter, Wilson has below-average raw power, and after hitting 12 home runs during the 2022 season, was down to just six homers in 2023. He has flashed surprising pull-side pop at times, including with a wood bat with USA Baseball, but his lean frame and underlying exit velocities don’t suggest anything more than a 40-grade power hitter in pro ball, even with future strength gains. Wilson is just an average runner and has never been much of a basestealer, but is praised for his sure-handedness and defensive actions at shortstop. He’s an above-average defender at the position with above-average arm strength, which should help alleviate any concerns about his power potential. Wilson will get critiqued for his lack of power, but his outlier contact ability with a safe shortstop profile should get him selected among the top 15 picks.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
BA Grade: 60/High
Track Record: The son of all-star shortstop Jack Wilson, Jacob was coached by his father at Thousand Oaks (Calif.) High before enjoying a decorated collegiate career at Grand Canyon. He hit .412 as a junior while striking out just five times in 49 games. Wilson was Baseball America’s no. 9 prospect in the 2023 draft class and landed with Oakland sixth overall, signing a $5.5 million bonus that was 17% under slot. In his pro debut he hit .318/.378/.455 in 23 games with High-A Lansing.
Scouting Report: Wilson’s hallmark ability has long been his freakish bat-to-ball skills which carried into his professional debut. He’s a twitchy athlete and greets pitchers in a unique manner. He employs an open stance and a bouncy pre-pitch routine before settling into a crouch as the pitch is delivered and lashing at the ball. He rarely misses, especially on pitches within the strike zone. The operation results in plenty of contact--but not all of the contact was particularly hard or on the barrel. Wilson posted below-average exit velocities in his debut and has faced concerns about his power output dating back to his college career. Wilson is aware of the criticisms and has shown some predilection for pull-side launch, and the A’s are optimistic more power could come once he adds muscle to his frame after rarely lifting weights as an amateur. He’ll also have to find the right balance between trusting his contact ability and chasing suboptimal offerings on the edges of the zone as he faces better pitchers. Defensively, Wilson shows off good hands, arm strength and instincts, albeit with average range.
The Future: Wilson has the potential to move quickly. His hitting skills and sound defense provide a high floor as an everyday shortstop, but his ceiling for offensive impact is somewhat capped without a material change in power.
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted Age At Draft: 21.3 BA Grade:55/High Tools:Hit: 60. Power: 40. Run: 50. Field: 55. Arm: 55.
Wilson is the son of 12-year MLB shortstop and all-star Jack Wilson, who joined Grand Canyon’s coaching staff as an assistant prior to the 2023 season. Wilson, like his father, is a talented shortstop who was named to the All-WAC first team in each of his three seasons with GCU and also played with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2022. Elite contact ability is the headlining trait for Wilson, who has hit .361/.419/.558 with a 4.4% strikeout rate in 155 collegiate games. During the 2023 season, Wilson made contact at a 94% overall rate. Against fastballs and on pitches inside the strike zone, that contact rate was up to 97%. Wilson’s elite bat-to-ball skills means he is able to get away with chasing pitches out of the zone at times, and at the next level he might need to become more selective, as he doesn’t have the sort of power to get away with expanding his strike zone. A 6-foot-3, 190-pound hitter, Wilson has below-average raw power, and after hitting 12 home runs during the 2022 season, was down to just six homers in 2023. He has flashed surprising pull-side pop at times, including with a wood bat with USA Baseball, but his lean frame and underlying exit velocities don’t suggest anything more than a 40-grade power hitter in pro ball, even with future strength gains. Wilson is just an average runner and has never been much of a basestealer, but is praised for his sure-handedness and defensive actions at shortstop. He’s an above-average defender at the position with above-average arm strength, which should help alleviate any concerns about his power potential. Wilson will get critiqued for his lack of power, but his outlier contact ability with a safe shortstop profile should get him selected among the top 15 picks.
Top 100 Rankings
Career Transactions
Las Vegas Aviators activated SS Jacob Wilson from the 7-day injured list.
Las Vegas Aviators sent SS Jacob Wilson on a rehab assignment to ACL Athletics.
Las Vegas Aviators sent SS Jacob Wilson on a rehab assignment to ACL Athletics.
Las Vegas Aviators placed SS Jacob Wilson on the 7-day injured list.
SS Jacob Wilson assigned to Las Vegas Aviators from Midland RockHounds.
SS Jacob Wilson assigned to Midland RockHounds.
Lansing Lugnuts activated SS Jacob Wilson.
SS Jacob Wilson assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from ACL Athletics.
SS Jacob Wilson assigned to Lansing Lugnuts from ACL Athletics.
SS Jacob Wilson assigned to ACL Athletics.
Oakland Athletics signed SS Jacob Wilson.
SS Jacob Wilson assigned to Grand Canyon Antelopes.
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