Oakland A’s first-round pick Jacob Wilson signs contract, spends day with MLB team
OAKLAND – The ink was hardly dry on Jacob Wilson’s $5.5 million contract when he got the opportunity to launch baseballs over the wall during pregame batting practice at the Coliseum.
The sixth overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, and the Oakland A’s most recent addition to their farm system, spent Monday afternoon with the team.
The 21-year-old infielder got his own locker, met the players he may one day call teammates, spoke with media, and, of course, took batting practice before the A’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox.
“It was awesome, being able to hit in the big league stadium with all these big league guys, it was awesome,” Wilson said. “It was super surreal.”
Wilson spent three years as a star at Grand Canyon University, where his father and former MLB infielder Jack Wilson was an assistant coach.
Jacob hit .411 with six home runs, and struck out just six times during a junior year that ended with him being named an All-American by several publications.
Wilson’s contract was for a $5.5 million bonus, according to MLB.com, $1.1 million under what a player selected at the No. 6 spot is expected to make.
Talent like Wilson’s provides hope for a future — whether in Oakland or Las Vegas — that is hopefully brighter than the dreary present.
The A’s entered Monday with an MLB-worst 25-70 record, having scored the fewest runs in the league while allowing the most, with a roster that has churned through a MLB-high 52 players.
Oakland’s clubhouse may not have many big names, but it does have a collection of veterans who know their way around the majors. One of those elder statesmen is 31-year-old Tony Kemp, an eight-year MLB vet who was picked in the fifth round by the Astros in 2013.
“It’s refreshing to see a guy about to venture on to his pro career,” Kemp said. “There’s a lot of baseball ahead of him. It’s good to see a big league clubhouse and see what we go through for a day, and to envision your future.”
A’s manager Mark Kotsay agreed.
“Bringing him here … gives him an opportunity to meet the guys and get familiar with the confines of the clubhouse and the stadium and start building relationships,” Kotsay said.
Wilson won’t have to look very far for wisdom or advice on how to navigate professional baseball. Jack Wilson enjoyed a 12-year career and was named an All-Star in 2004 with the Pirates.
“He’s been a great mentor, because he’s gone through this himself, with the draft and going into the minor league system and then playing in the big leagues,” Wilson said about his father Jack. “He’s given me a bunch of advice and you know, it’s all been really helpful for me. ”
Wilson was a multi-sport athlete growing up, playing soccer, basketball, and football alongside baseball. But once he reached high school, choosing his sport was not difficult.
“It’s been my love since I was born, following my dad around,” Wilson said. “Once I got to high school, that’s when I finally made the decision that this is what I really wanted to do.”
Wilson is keen to start his professional career in Arizona’s rookie league, but he said he was going to appreciate his day with the big league club, where he’d end the night by watching the game with his family in the stands.
“I’m just soaking it all in,” Wilson said. “I’ve focused on just enjoying it, and it’s been great so far. I’ve loved every second of it.”
NOTES
- Wilson wasn’t the only player to sign with the A’s on Monday. The A’s used some of their signing bonus pool savings from Wilson’s deal to sign RHP Steven Echavarria (Millburn HS in New Jersey) for $3 million, almost $2 million over over slot for the 72nd overall pick.
- Kotsay said 29-year-old relief pitcher Dany Jiménez, who hasn’t pitched since April 16 after straining his right shoulder, will have his first rehab start with Las Vegas on Wednesday. Jiménez made 34 appearances and had a 3.41 ERA in 2022.
- Ramon Laureano has been out of action since June 22 with a groin injury, and Kotsay said the outfielder will spend five games rehabbing in AAA starting on Tuesday. Kotsay said “We’re going to make sure that Ramon is physically good.”