Wilson’s quick call-up to A was his ‘ideal plan’

Wilson’s quick call-up to A was his ‘ideal plan’ originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area

Best athletics prospect Jacob Wilson got the call every baseball player dreams.

Just over a year after Wilson was drafted 6th overall by the A’she will make his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum.

Before his big league debut, Wilson met with reporters and described how he found out his team was going from Triple-A Las Vegas to Oakland.

“I was actually in the car driving home with my girlfriend on Wednesday around noon,” Wilson told reporters. “I got a phone call. I answered it and had a great conversation. And obviously I was told I was coming here. So it’s probably the best feeling, the best phone call you can get as a baseball player.

“So it was exciting, for sure. And being able to call all my family and friends afterwards was really special.”

Jacob, son of former MLB infielder Jack Wilson, needed just 72 games in the minor leagues to reach the majors, an incredibly quick rise through the A’s farm system.

Nearly a year ago — July 17, 2023 — Wilson stood in the Coliseum as the A’s newly selected prospect. He took batting practice and met with coach Mark Kotsay and several of his current teammates.

Wilson is the fifth member of 2023 MLB Draft Class to reach the majors, joining No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates), No. 4 overall pick Wyatt Langford (Texas Rangers), No. 11 overall pick Nolan Schanuel (Angels) and No. 24 overall pick Hurston Waldrep (Atlanta Bravos).

All of the top prospects, including Wilson, hope to make the big leagues this quickly, but most need several years in the minor leagues before they are ready.

In Wilson’s mind, this was how he wanted it to be.

“I think for me that was the ideal plan, for sure,” Wilson told reporters. “I didn’t know if it would actually come true. But you know, here we are today and it feels great to be here, to be able to step onto this field, for real this time. It was just [batting practice] just like a signee coming out of the draft. But now that we’re actually here, it’s phenomenal to look around and be in this stadium.”

Kotsay admitted to reporters on Friday that he didn’t expect to see Wilson so soon.

“I didn’t really know, that’s nothing against him as a player,” Kotsay told reporters. “That’s a quick rise. Reaching the big leagues in his first full season of professional baseball is a huge accomplishment. We’re excited to have him, give him this opportunity. The success he’s had in the minor leagues at Double-A, Triple-A so far this season has been exceptional. It’s the reward. We talk about it a lot in this organization, you go out and perform, you’re going to get that opportunity.”

Wilson, a product of Grand Canyon University, tore up the minor leagues last year and this season, hitting a combined .401/.445/.613 with 36 doubles, eight home runs and 47 in 72 games between Rookie Level, High-A Lansing, Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas.

Wilson grew up around big league clubs, with his father spending 12 seasons playing for the Pirates, Braves and Seattle Mariners.

Jack’s advice to Jacob before this moment was simple.

“His main goal growing up was just to have fun playing this game,” said the younger Wilson. “This is a game that looks like a children’s game. You grow up playing this as a kid and obviously to be blessed enough to play it here on stage is amazing. and no matter how good or bad he did the day before, just turning over a new leaf, just knowing that you can play this game again tomorrow.

“So it’s amazing to be able to have him by my side. I have a great family, a great support team, so they support me like crazy.”

Wilson is playing shortstop and batting eighth in his MLB debut.

The A’s plan, now that Wilson has arrived, is to build around him second baseman Zack Gelof, outfielder Lawrence Butler and first baseman Tyler Soderstrom.