With Major League Baseball starting up again on July 19, the Athletics will have a new player on their roster. Shortstop Jacob Wilson, the A’s first-round pick in 2023, will reportedly join Oakland for his MLB debut. The promotion comes amidst a scorching run for Wilson in Las Vegas (AAA).
A Look at Wilson
Athletics infielder Jacob Wilson has done nothing but torch Minor League pitching since Oakland selected him sixth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft.
The son of former Major League infielder Jack Wilson, Jacob hit .333/.391/.475 with a home run and 12 extra-base hits over his first 26 Minor League games last year in the ACL and Midwest League. He’s been limited thanks to injuries to 2024, as he only played 46 games to this point. But across three levels, Wilson is hitting .438/.475/.686 with seven home runs and 32 extra-base hits. At Double-A, Wilson hit .455 with three home runs over 22 games before forcing a promotion to Triple-A.
Wilson recorded 33 hits over 19 games with Las Vegas. And, his Whiff% was 2.6%. Yes, it’s a small sample size but it’s indicative of the kind of prospect the 22-year-old.
The Athletics infield prospect had arguably the best bat-to-ball skills of any player in the 2023 MLB Draft. Those contact skills helped Wilson accrue a .412 average in his junior season with Grand Canyon. He has a relatively simple approach; a swing on the short side, the ability to stay in on balls in the zone, and will often go the other way by staying deep on pitches on the outer half of the plate.
Wilson owned a career ISO of .212 in the Minors, mainly buoyed by a .639 SLG in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He doesn’t have many home runs — eight over 311 plate appearances — and his slugging percentage was raised by him working singles into doubles. There is natural power in his 6’2” profile.
Defensively, Wilson has shown good footwork at the shortstop position and a strong arm. He spent all of his games in the field as a shortstop in the Minor Leagues.
Per reports, the Athletics will call up Jacob Wilson after the All-Star break.
Analysis
This is the second straight season the Athletics will call up a top prospect after the All-Star break. Last year, the A’s called up both Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom. Gelof was one of the game’s most productive infielders from mid-July through the end of the season. Although, his 2024 campaign (.204 AVG, .648 OPS) hasn’t been as elite.
Wilson will join a young Athletics team that’s received great contributions from young players like JJ Bleday and Mason Miller. Shea Langeliers has 17 home runs in the 2024 campaign. Outfielder Lawrence Butler, who belted three home runs on the last day of the first half, also looks like an interesting power bat.
The 22-year-old Wilson will join that group, one that could be considerably changed by the end of July. However, Wilson’s hit tool should make him a future #1 or #2 hitter at the MLB level.
Fantasy Outlook
Wilson is joining an A’s team that could use the offensive help. However, watching how his tools translate at the MLB level will be fascinating. As noted earlier, he doesn’t have a ton of pop in his profile, likely capping out at a 35-40 FV range. At the same token, he did nothing but hit in the Minors and could be valuable on that alone, especially for players who need help in the batting average department.
Wilson’s a good value target for AL-only leagues right off the bat, with some mixed league value in there, as well. If he gets time at the top of the Oakland, his hit tool and ability to get on base will give him value, regardless of the state of the A’s.