Brian Wilson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #5 prospect in 2007
  The Giants drafted Wilson in the 24th round in 2003, knowing he wouldn't be able to pitch for a year because he had to recover from Tommy John surgery. Four years earlier, San Francisco had taken another Tommy John survivor out of Louisiana State, Kurt Ainsworth. Wilson's first pro season was a disaster, and he admitted he sometimes skated through his rehab work before rededicating himself and dominating the last two years. Wilson's biting 90-mph slider is the best in the system and is reminiscent of Robb Nen's signature pitch. He throws in the mid- to upper 90s with his fastball and hit 98 mph in the big leagues. Quietly intense and armed with a huge water serpent tattooed on his left arm, Wilson has the look of a closer. Fastball command was an issue for Wilson in San Francisco, and it may be partially explained by an oblique strain that kept him from getting into a consistent rhythm. He feeds off adrenaline, which can work against him when he overthrows or tries for a strikeout. He hasn't learned to handle poor outings yet. The Giants prefer an established presence in the ninth inning, so Wilson may have to settle for a setup role this year. If he succeeds there, he could close for San Francisco in 2008.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #12 prospect in 2006
  The Giants have waited to see the real Brian Wilson since drafting him less than two months after he had Tommy John surgery in 2003. He signed a 2004 contract because of his elbow injury, meaning San Francisco didn't have to protect him on its 40-man roster this offseason. The Giants certainly would have if needed, because he'll likely reach the majors in 2006. Formerly a No. 1 starter at Louisiana State, Wilson worked mostly in the bullpen trying to build up arm strength in his pro debut and got hammered in low Class A. Humbled by his performance, Wilson changed his diet, hit the weight room and got into the best shape of his life. The results were immediate--a spike in fastball velocity to the mid-90s, a return of his plus curveball and a more effective changeup. Wilson disciplined himself on the mound as well as off the field. He tightened his repertoire, ditching extraneous pitches and focusing on three good ones. His hard downer curve has such bite that it's often mistaken for a splitter. Wilson zoomed to Triple-A and didn't allow a home run all season. He tired late and wasn't at his best in the Arizona Fall League. If he has another strong offseason, he could start 2006 in San Francisco's bullpen, though a return to Triple-A is more likely.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #30 prospect in 2004
  The Giants have gone to the Louisiana State well for pitchers several times recently, with mixed results. Righty Jake Esteves had too many arm injuries to make it to the majors, but fellow righty Kurt Ainsworth overcame Tommy John surgery to reach San Francisco. Ainsworth went to the Orioles in the Sidney Ponson trade, leaving Wilson and reliever Billy Sadler, a 2003 draftee with plenty of arm strength but less pitchability, as the LSU representatives in the Giants system. Wilson might have been a supplemental first-round pick if he hadn't blown out his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery in April. LSU coaches were stunned when he signed as a 24th-round pick. When healthy, Wilson has shown a 90-93 mph fastball and a plus curveball. If his rehabilitation goes as scheduled, he'll work in extended spring training before reporting to Salem-Keizer in June.