Jacob Wilson Drives in Two - Rookie Stays Hot in Denver

DENVER, COLORADO

Going into Saturday, Athletics rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson has recorded a hit in every game so far this year. He joins three-time batting champ Luis Arráez as the only players in major league baseball to not record a strikeout so far this season. 

Wilson debuted last season, making 2025 his first full season in MLB. He joins a young core of Athletics hitters that make me optimistic about the team’s chances to improve upon their 69-93 record from last year. Brent Rooker (DH) and Lawrence Butler (OF) have already been signed to contract extensions. I don’t like to get ahead of myself, but Wilson’s play thus far is making extension talks feel like a reality. 

Jacob Wilson: Drafted with the 6th overall pick in 2023, batted .401 in 79 minor league games from 2023 to 2024 before earning a promotion to Oakland on July 19, 2024. Wilson earned his first major league hit off the Angels’ Griffin Canning, singling and scoring his first run in MLB before departing the game with a hamstring injury. He would return from the injured list on August 27th and play shortstop for the remainder of the season. 

“That last month was really about learning how to handle the speed of the game and trying to learn from everything that happened.” - said Wilson, on an episode of A’s Cast Spring Training. 

His first MLB homer came off Cubs pitcher Ben Brown in the A’s first home game of the season. He was a bright spot in an 18-3 rout that introduced Major League Baseball to the city of Sacramento. Wilson displays an open batting stance, with his left leg bordering the edge of the batter’s box. As the pitcher begins his windup, Wilson’s foot taps inward and lines up parallel with his back foot when he swings the bat. Wilson features a crouched stance which allows him to easily utilize the power from his legs to drive the ball to all sides of the field. 

Despite hitting into a 5-4-3 triple play, Wilson kept his hit streak alive with a 6th inning two-run double. Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers would both homer in the 7th inning to pad the A’s lead. Colorado third baseman Ryan McMahon would smash a home run in the 8th, serving as the last gasp for the Rockies.  

Mason Miller nailed down the 7-4 victory - earning his third save of the year. 

Jacob Wilson enters the series finale leading the Athletics in batting, posting an impressive .364 average in nine games. It would be unreasonable to expect Wilson to maintain this pace for the whole season. However, his entire career has been a display of consistency that poses a threat to any pitcher in his path. 

Oh yeah, Wilson STILL has yet to strike out.