Jacob Wilson’s Elite Contact Skills Set Him Apart
Few prospects enter the Majors as polished as Jacob Wilson is at the plate. In 79 career minor league games, Wilson hit an eye-popping .401 while striking out just 4.4% of the time. That elite contact ability carried over to his MLB debut in 2024, where he struck out only 10 times in 103 plate appearances with the Athletics.
Wilson’s ability to consistently put the ball in play makes him a rare breed in today’s game, where high strikeout rates are the norm. His 12.7% whiff rate and 39.7% squared-up rate put him in elite company—only one qualified hitter last year, three-time batting champ Luis Arraez, had a better squared-up rate, per MLB.com. That level of bat control is a major reason why he’s a strong contender for AL Rookie of the Year.
Concerns Over Power? The A’s Aren’t Worried
The biggest knock on Wilson has been his lack of power. He didn’t barrel any of his 84 batted balls during his debut last season, but as he adds strength and gains experience, Wilson’s natural ability to recognize pitches and work counts should lead to better-quality contact.
Despite the current lack of impact, Wilson already excels at putting the ball where he wants. His ability to turn on inside pitches and adjust to offspeed offerings is well beyond his years. More importantly, he refuses to chase bad pitches—walking 10 times and striking out just eight times in 92 at-bats last season. That level of patience and bat control bodes well for his long-term development. He also showed an ability and willingness to take the ball the other way, another mature sign.
Wilson’s Role in Athletics' Rebuild
The Athletics view Wilson as the face of their franchise moving forward. He’ll likely have every opportunity to play every day in 2025, making him a prime candidate to put up strong counting stats. Playing at Sutter Health Park—an environment that will likely be favorable for hitters—could further aid his offensive production.
A realistic projection for Wilson’s rookie season looks like a .285/.350/400 slash line with 12-to-15 home runs, 60-to-70 RBI and 70-to-80 runs scored. If he reaches those numbers while maintaining his elite contact ability, Wilson will be right in the thick of the AL Rookie of the Year race. At +800 odds on BetMGM, he’s one of the best value bets on the board.
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