Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson just outside top-50 on MLB Pipeline's updated prospect list
By Tim Smart
MLB Pipeline has released an updated version of their top-100 prospects list and once again, the Oakland Athletics don't compare favorably against the rest of the league.
The lone Athletics prospect on the list is shortstop Jacob Wilson, who appears at number 56 overall. Pipeline gives him an overall prospect grade of 55 on the 20-80 scale, and we've seen some of his potential throughout the current minor league season.
Wilson was recently promoted to Triple-A after tearing up Double-A Midland and he hasn't missed a beat. The 2023 first round pick is hitting .439/.460/.664 between the two levels, knocking 3 homers and 15 doubles in 113 plate appearances.
“I loved his father as a player. I definitely believe Jacob will exceed his dad’s career accomplishments.”
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 12, 2024
Jacob Wilson's (@Athletics No. 1) promotion to Triple-A has been seamless.
MLB's No. 60 prospect had his second three-hit performance in four games with @AviatorsLV:… pic.twitter.com/Nvr3Uzuc5k
He's been playing strong defense at short as well. He has a strong arm and his defense looks incredibly clean for a player his age. Pipeline sees him as an above average defensive shortstop moving forward.
The biggest question about Wilson coming out of the draft was whether he'd be able to consistently hit against higher level pitching. He's done so thus far, though major league pitching is miles ahead of what he's seen so far.
Nonetheless, his promotion to Triple-A bumped another of the A's top prospects off shortstop. Max Muncy had been on the minor league IL until this past week but Wilson's addition pushed Muncy to third base.
Nick Allen will stick in the middle infield and Zack Gelof will get playing time at second base during his rehab assignment, but Wilson will be the shortstop in Las Vegas likely until he gets called up to Oakland.
As bright as Wilson's future is, it's disappointing to see the dearth of talent across the entire system. There are just four teams with one or fewer players on this updated version of the top-100. The Royals and the Astros have one player each, while the Angels don't have a single player on the list.
If there's any respite, it's that the Angels are as poorly managed as ever. With Shohei Ohtani gone and Mike Trout slowly slipping into his mid-30's, there isn't a ton of hope in Anaheim.
Outfielder Denzel Clarke had previously been on Pipeline's list but he's fallen off thanks to a slow start to 2024. RHP Luis Morales clocks in at number 2 on the A's top 30, while Clark drops to number 3. Infielder Darell Hernaiz and catcher Daniel Susac round out the top 5.
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