The Athletics have been proactive about locking of their core for the foreseeable future. That push continued on Friday.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the A’s agreed to phrases with shortstop Jacob Wilson, 23, on a seven-year, $70 million extension. He’s the fourth participant the A’s have signed to an extension since January 2025, becoming a member of designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and outfielders Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom.
Wilson had a formidable rookie season for the A’s. A 2025 All-Star and the runner-up for the AL Rookie of the 12 months award, he posted a .311/.355/.444 batting line in his 523 plate appearances, hitting 13 homers and 26 doubles. He displayed spectacular contact expertise, hanging out solely 39 instances.
Athletics playing that Jacob Wilson can proceed spectacular efficiency
Wilson does include some crimson flags. He solely drew 27 walks for a 5.4% stroll fee, far beneath league common (8.3%). Wilson ranked within the first percentile in common exit velocity (84.6 mph), within the second percentile in hard-hit fee (24.7%) and within the sixth percentile in barrel share (2.2%). Part of these mediocre metrics could possibly be attributable to his 32.1% chase fee, limiting the standard of his contact.
Questions encompass Wilson’s defensive future as nicely. He price the A’s 10 runs defensively, the third-worst whole of any participant with not less than 250 innings at brief. The opposite two gamers, Bo Bichette and Carlos Correa, will probably be at third base subsequent season. As high prospect Leodalis De Vries is a shortstop, Wilson might get pushed to second or third within the close to future.
The mix of excessive contact, low stroll charges and gentle contact can work. Free-agent infielder Luis Arraez has an analogous profile and is a three-time batting champion. Taking part in within the bandbox generally known as Sutter Well being Park, and the eventual transfer to Las Vegas, ought to assist Wilson produce. Nonetheless, the A’s are making a major funding in Wilson as they hope he can proceed to provide as Arraez has.
