No. 9 Draft prospect does best Jeter impression at Desert Invitational
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – There was no easing into the 2023 faculty baseball season for Grand Canyon’s Jacob Wilson. Just three innings into Game 2 of the MLB Desert Invitational, MLB Pipeline’s No. 9 Draft prospect dove headlong into the stands down the third-base line in an try and snare a popup, a la Derek Jeter.
Wilson, named a preseason All-American and to the Golden Spikes Award Watch List, was faraway from the sport within the backside of the fourth because of precautionary causes, per Grand Canyon head coach Gregg Wallis. After favoring his left wrist and being checked on by the coaching employees, Wilson stayed within the recreation and threw out a runner within the third earlier than taking his at-bat – a lineout to heart – within the high of the fourth.
“I thought his favorite player was his dad, but I guess it’s Derek Jeter,” Wallis quipped in regards to the son of former large league shortstop Jack Wilson. After the sport, each Wilson and Wallis insisted the shortstop was fantastic.
In the highest of the primary, Wilson, a mesmerizingly troublesome hitter to strike out (he whiffed in simply 2.5% of his plate appearances as a sophomore), appeared to have punchout No. 1 in at-bat No. 1 of the 12 months. After a fast umpire convention, he earned one other pitch and didn’t miss, roping an RBI triple to left subject that set off an Antelopes scoring deluge en path to a 12-4 win over UC San Diego at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Friday afternoon.
“Throughout high school, my dad always kind of built in: ‘Striking out is not OK,’” Wilson mentioned. “I’ve at all times by no means been OK with putting out.”
To say that Wilson is the premier bat within the 2023 Draft class wouldn’t be a stretch: he’s the lone hitter – highschool or faculty – to earn a 65-grade (on the 20-80 scale) for his hitting skill. That expert bat is a purpose many evaluators imagine he’s destined to return off the board early come July.
As a sophomore, Wilson slashed .358/.418/.585 and picked up 65 RBIs in 59 video games, incomes first-team All-WAC honors final 12 months. He added a two-RBI single within the high of the second, selecting up within the run-production column the place he left off final 12 months. He’s confirmed to be a two-way catalyst for Grand Canyon whose stick-to-itiveness was on full show for all of his opening act in 2023.
“He wants to be at the plate to drive in big runs, he wants to be at the plate to commit to contact – he’s a really, really good player and that’s what he shows every time he takes the field,” Wallis mentioned.
Grand Canyon’s roster boasts some spectacular familial connections with six gamers having fathers who performed within the large leagues. Aside from Jacob and father Jack, there may be Homer Bush Jr. (Homer), Tyler Wilson (Steve), Kan Taguchi (So), Isaac Lyon (Brandon) and Nick Arias (George).
While recommendation has been doled out throughout the board, Wilson’s father, Jack, a 12-year Major Leaguer, serves as an assistant coach for the ‘Lopes, imparting knowledge to a roster that has College World Series aspirations.
“I think he’s brought great energy,” the youthful Wilson mentioned of his father. “Our guys love being around him – very, very knowledgeable. So to be able to have him out here, especially not even just as a dad, as a coach as well, it’s very beneficial for our team.”
Wilson’s defensive power clearly carried over, as Homer Bush Jr. – a fellow Top 100 Draft prospect – hauled within the catch of the day within the backside of the fifth, zooming into the left-center-field hole and going airborne to thwart the Tritons of additional bases.
“There was a point where I saw it and I said, ‘I’m just going to have to put my head down and run,’” Bush mentioned. “And last second, almost like a receiver, just shot my hands [out]. … I was just trying to make a play for my pitcher.”
Alongside his defensive escapades, Bush served as an offensive catalyst and notched a trio of hits – together with an RBI triple – and stole two baggage.
“It’s just watching his growth and development that has been another really rewarding thing for me,” mentioned Wallis, who earned his first victory on the helm for GCU. “I actually really feel like he hasn’t even reached the ceiling of the place he can go on this recreation and it is fairly particular to observe him each day.”
