1. Overview
Jacob Wilson, born on March 30, 2002, is an American professional baseball shortstop currently playing for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). A native of Thousand Oaks, California, Wilson played college baseball for the Grand Canyon Antelopes before being selected as the sixth overall pick by the Athletics in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2024, continuing his family's legacy in professional baseball as the son of former MLB shortstop Jack Wilson.
2. Amateur Career
Wilson's baseball journey began in his youth, progressing through high school and excelling at the collegiate level, where he honed his skills and drew national attention as a top prospect.
2.1. Early Life and Education
Jacob Wilson was born on March 30, 2002, in Thousand Oaks, California, and grew up immersed in a baseball family environment. He attended Thousand Oaks High School, where he played for the baseball team under the guidance of his father, Jack Wilson, who was a former MLB shortstop. This direct influence from his father significantly shaped his early development in the sport.
2.2. College Baseball
Wilson continued his baseball career at Grand Canyon University, playing for the Grand Canyon Antelopes. As a freshman in 2021, he played in 47 games primarily as a third baseman, achieving a batting average of .313, an on-base percentage of .376, and a slugging percentage of .440. During that season, he hit four home runs and recorded 29 runs batted in (RBI).
For his sophomore year in 2022, Wilson transitioned to shortstop, demonstrating his versatility and defensive capabilities. In 59 games that season, he improved his offensive output, hitting .358/.418/.585 with 12 home runs and 65 RBI. Following his impressive collegiate season, Wilson participated in collegiate summer baseball in 2022, playing with the Orleans Firebirds in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. Entering the 2023 season, he was recognized as one of the top prospects for the upcoming 2023 Major League Baseball draft. In the same year, his father, Jack Wilson, joined the Grand Canyon Antelopes' coaching staff, allowing them to continue their collaboration at the collegiate level.
3. Professional Career
Jacob Wilson's professional career began with his selection in the MLB Draft, leading to his rapid ascent through the minor league system and eventual debut in Major League Baseball.
3.1. MLB Draft and Minor League
The Oakland Athletics selected Jacob Wilson in the first round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft, making him the sixth overall pick. Upon signing with the Athletics, Wilson received a signing bonus of 5.50 M USD. He began his professional journey in the minor leagues, making his debut with the High-A affiliate, the Lansing Lugnuts, where he posted a .318 batting average in 88 at-bats.
Following his stint with the Lugnuts, he played three games for the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Athletics, going 5-for-11 with five RBI. To start the 2024 season, Wilson continued to impress, hitting .455 with three home run in 88 at-bats for the Double-A Midland RockHounds. His strong performance led to his subsequent promotion to the Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators.
3.2. Major League Debut and Early Activities
On July 19, 2024, Jacob Wilson's consistent performance and potential were recognized when he was added to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his highly anticipated MLB debut with the Oakland Athletics, marking a significant milestone in his career. In his initial season in MLB (as of the end of the 2024 season), he played 28 games, recording 23 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 29 RBIs, with a batting average of .250. Defensively, he played 27 games at shortstop, where he maintained a perfect fielding percentage of 1.000.
4. Personal Life
Jacob Wilson maintains close ties with his family, particularly his father, Jack Wilson, who has been a significant influence throughout his baseball career. His father is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, and Atlanta Braves. Jack Wilson has also served as a coach for the Grand Canyon Antelopes, where Jacob played college baseball, further integrating their personal and professional lives.
5. Career Statistics
Jacob Wilson's professional career statistics reflect his performance in both batting and fielding across various levels of professional baseball.
5.1. Batting Statistics
The following table summarizes Jacob Wilson's batting statistics for his Major League career through the end of the 2024 season:
| Year | Team | Games | Plate Appearances | At Bats | Runs | Hits | Doubles | Triples | Home Runs | RBIs | Walks | Hit by Pitch | Strikeouts | Sacrifice Bunts | Sacrifice Flies | Stolen Bases | Caught Stealing | Batting Average | On-base Percentage | Slugging Percentage | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | OAK | 28 | 103 | 92 | 11 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | .250 | .314 | .315 | .629 |
| MLB Total (1 year) | 28 | 103 | 92 | 11 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | .250 | .314 | .315 | .629 | |
5.2. Fielding Statistics
The following table details Jacob Wilson's fielding statistics as a shortstop in Major League Baseball through the end of the 2024 season:
| Year | Team | Shortstop (SS) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Double Plays | Fielding Percentage | ||
| 2024 | OAK | 27 | 32 | 69 | 0 | 16 | 1.000 |
| MLB Total | 27 | 32 | 69 | 0 | 16 | 1.000 | |
5.3. Jersey Numbers
Throughout his professional career, Jacob Wilson has worn the following jersey number:
- 5 (2024 - present)