First High-A hit ✅
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 2, 2023
Jacob Wilson, @Athletics' 2023 first-round pick (6th overall), lines a double in his non-complex debut with the @LansingLugnuts: pic.twitter.com/178Aamhstf
Jacob Wilson was the Athletics first round pick in the 2023 draft. He made a strong impression in the complex league and at High-A as a 21 year old last year. In 99 plate appearances with Lansing, Wilson slashed .318/.378/.455 and showed impressive plate discipline.
Wilson's 10% strikeout rate is substantially better than average and a strong sign for success at higher levels. He's also a strong defender at shortstop and has the chance to move quickly through the A's minor league system.
The biggest knock on Wilson at the moment is his lack of power. Despite the excellent plate discipline and contact hitting, he posted a ground ball rate just shy of 58% which may not work at higher levels. Wilson is still on the light side, coming in at 6' 3" and 190lbs.
With that frame, Wilson should be able to add a bit of muscle without sacrificing mobility or athleticism. While he won't make the opening day roster, Wilson did receive a non-roster invite to spring training and will get a crack at some higher level pitching in the spring.
Whether he's able to add power to the profile will be a big part of how successful he becomes as a major leaguer. He has a pretty high floor with the current skill set but the power will be the difference between him becoming a defensive replacement and an everyday middle infielder.