Will Wilson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #14 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Wilson was the Angels’ first-round pick in 2019 but was coveted by the Giants as well. San Francisco added Wilson to its system shortly thereafter when it agreed to acquire Zack Cozart while paying the rest of Cozart’s salary. Wilson spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league, then spent his first full season as a pro between High-A and Double-A before finishing the year in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Wilson does not have a carrying tool, but he also doesn’t have a glaring deficiency. He performed well at High-A Eugene before running into a bit of trouble at the next level. Wilson is particularly vulnerable against spin from righthanders, but his high swing-and-miss rate against fastballs in Double-A was more concerning. Both factors led to a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 3-to-1. Wilson has some raw power but is best suited hitting line drives from gap to gap rather than selling out for home runs. Defensively, Wilson is unlikely to stick at shortstop. He moved around the infield in the regular season and played every position but first base and catcher in the Fall League. His best fits are at second or third base.
  
  The Future: Wilson will head back to Double-A in 2022, where he’ll try to do better against more advanced pitching. He has the potential to be a super-utility infielder.
  
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #10 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson was teammates with fellow Giants prospects Patrick Bailey and Nick Swiney at North Carolina State. The Angels drafted him 14th overall in 2019 and dealt him to San Francisco with Zack Cozart that offseason in what amounted to a salary dump. Wilson spent 2020 at the Giants’ alternate training site and finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After Wilson’s vanilla pro debut in the Angels’ system, the Giants made adjustments to his swing. They stood him more upright, tweaked his attack angle and focused on establishing a more consistent, closed stride direction to help stay on the ball better. Wilson is a line-drive hitter who can do the little things—such as hit with two strikes or hit behind runners—and occasionally does damage to pitches in his wheelhouse. He has a chance to hit for average, but his power output figures to be modest. Wilson is a solid if unspectacular defender at shortstop who can make all the plays and has an above-average arm. The Giants are likely to get him time at second base and third base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson is more polished than some of the higher-upside prospects in the Giants system. If he reaches his peak, he should be a solid contributor on both sides of the ball.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #12 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson started for three years in North Carolina State's middle infield and capped his college career by hitting .339 with 16 home runs and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year as a junior. The Angels drafted him 15th overall and sent him to Rookie-level Orem. He showed solid foundational tools at the level, but scouts were skeptical of his ultimate impact. The Angels traded him—and Zack Cozart's contract—to the Giants in December for lefthander Garrett Williams.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wilson has quick hands and deceptive strength at the plate and makes frequent contact with excellent bat-to-ball skills. He has a contact-oriented swing that mostly sends line drives up the middle, but he flashes gap power that could grow into more as he adds weight and strength. Wilson shows great vision, reliable hands and good feel at shortstop and quickly picked up the nuances and double-play pivot at second base in his pro debut. He is a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson could move quickly if he hits, but some fear he profiles more as a utility player than a starter in the major leagues. He will make his full-season debut in 2020.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #22 prospect in 2019 draft
  A third-team Preseason All-American behind fellow shortstops Logan Davidson (first team) and Bryson Stott (second team), Wilson has been one of the most consistent hitters in the ACC the last three seasons. After hitting .300/.377/.504 as a freshman, Wilson has steadily increased his production each season. Through 39 games as a junior, he posted a .333/.412/.667 slash line with a team-high 13 home runs and a career-best 11.8 percent walk rate. The calling card with Wilson is his hitting ability. He has produced everywhere he's played and projects as a 60 hitter with plus raw power despite a smaller, 6-foot, 184-pound frame. Those offensive tools would suggest a superstar as an ACC shortstop, but Wilson's supplemental tools are lacking. While he's handled shortstop for the Wolfpack, most scouts believe his below-average running ability and lack of a quick first step will eventually push him to second base, where he should be a solid defender. His arm likely fits better at the keystone as well, and last summer with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, Wilson played second base while Stott handled the shortstop duties. There are some questions regarding how easily Wilson will be able to tap into his power with a wood bat, as he has a limited track record in that regard and didn't make much impact in his 24 at-bats with Team USA over the summer. There's also some swing-and-miss in Wilson's game, but it's hard to find a scout who doesn't believe in his bat and most scouts laud Wilson's makeup and baseball IQ.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #5 prospect in 2019
  The 15th overall pick in the draft, Wilson was the only 2019 first-rounder to see significant playing time in the Pioneer League, and that’s despite a couple of injuries that shortened his season. Wilson’s above-average hitting ability is what made him a first-round talent. He has solid bat-to-ball skills with a line-drive stroke and gap-to-gap power, but he may develop more pop as he gets stronger. Lauded with a grinder mentality, a high baseball IQ and plus-plus instincts, Wilson was credited with being a steadying influence on younger teammate Jeremiah Jackson. "He comes in wanting to play,” Orem manager Jack Santora said. "He lives and breathes baseball.” Wilson split time with Jackson at both middle infield spots. Scouts largely preferred him at second base, confirming pre-draft expectations.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Midseason Update: Wilson had surgery on June 30 to repair a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. He was expected to miss roughly six weeks.
  
  Track Record: Wilson was the Angels&#39 first-round pick in 2019 but was coveted by the Giants as well. San Francisco added Wilson to its system shortly thereafter when it agreed to acquire Zack Cozart while paying the rest of Cozart&#39s salary. Wilson spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league, then spent his first full season as a pro between High-A and Double-A before finishing the year in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Wilson does not have a carrying tool, but he also doesn&#39t have a glaring deficiency. He performed well at High-A Eugene before running into a bit of trouble at the next level. Wilson is particularly vulnerable against spin from righthanders, but his high swing-and-miss rate against fastballs in Double-A was more concerning. Both factors led to a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 3-to-1. Wilson has some raw power but is best suited hitting line drives from gap to gap rather than selling out for home runs. Defensively, Wilson is unlikely to stick at shortstop. He moved around the infield in the regular season and played every position but first base and catcher in the Fall League. His best fits are at second or third base.
  
  The Future: Wilson will head back to Double-A in 2022, where he&#39ll try to do better against more advanced pitching. He has the potential to be a super-utility infielder.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Wilson was the Angels’ first-round pick in 2019 but was coveted by the Giants as well. San Francisco added Wilson to its system shortly thereafter when it agreed to acquire Zack Cozart while paying the rest of Cozart’s salary. Wilson spent 2020 at the alternate training site and instructional league, then spent his first full season as a pro between High-A and Double-A before finishing the year in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Wilson does not have a carrying tool, but he also doesn’t have a glaring deficiency. He performed well at High-A Eugene before running into a bit of trouble at the next level. Wilson is particularly vulnerable against spin from righthanders, but his high swing-and-miss rate against fastballs in Double-A was more concerning. Both factors led to a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 3-to-1. Wilson has some raw power but is best suited hitting line drives from gap to gap rather than selling out for home runs. Defensively, Wilson is unlikely to stick at shortstop. He moved around the infield in the regular season and played every position but first base and catcher in the Fall League. His best fits are at second or third base.
  
  The Future: Wilson will head back to Double-A in 2022, where he’ll try to do better against more advanced pitching. He has the potential to be a super-utility infielder.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson was teammates with fellow Giants prospects Patrick Bailey and Nick Swiney at North Carolina State. The Angels drafted him 14th overall in 2019 and dealt him to San Francisco with Zack Cozart that offseason in what amounted to a salary dump. Wilson spent 2020 at the Giants' alternate training site and finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After Wilson's vanilla pro debut in the Angels' system, the Giants made adjustments to his swing. They stood him more upright, tweaked his attack angle and focused on establishing a more consistent, closed stride direction to help stay on the ball better. Wilson is a line-drive hitter who can do the little things—such as hit with two strikes or hit behind runners—and occasionally does damage to pitches in his wheelhouse. He has a chance to hit for average, but his power output figures to be modest. Wilson is a solid if unspectacular defender at shortstop who can make all the plays and has an above-average arm. The Giants are likely to get him time at second base and third base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson is more polished than some of the higher-upside prospects in the Giants system. If he reaches his peak, he should be a solid contributor on both sides of the ball.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson was teammates with fellow Giants prospects Patrick Bailey and Nick Swiney at North Carolina State. The Angels drafted him 14th overall in 2019 and dealt him to San Francisco with Zack Cozart that offseason in what amounted to a salary dump. Wilson spent 2020 at the Giants’ alternate training site and finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After Wilson’s vanilla pro debut in the Angels’ system, the Giants made adjustments to his swing. They stood him more upright, tweaked his attack angle and focused on establishing a more consistent, closed stride direction to help stay on the ball better. Wilson is a line-drive hitter who can do the little things—such as hit with two strikes or hit behind runners—and occasionally does damage to pitches in his wheelhouse. He has a chance to hit for average, but his power output figures to be modest. Wilson is a solid if unspectacular defender at shortstop who can make all the plays and has an above-average arm. The Giants are likely to get him time at second base and third base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson is more polished than some of the higher-upside prospects in the Giants system. If he reaches his peak, he should be a solid contributor on both sides of the ball.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson was teammates with fellow Giants prospects Patrick Bailey and Nick Swiney at North Carolina State. The Angels drafted him 14th overall in 2019 and dealt him to San Francisco with Zack Cozart that offseason in what amounted to a salary dump. Wilson spent 2020 at the Giants’ alternate training site and finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After Wilson’s vanilla pro debut in the Angels’ system, the Giants made adjustments to his swing. They stood him more upright, tweaked his attack angle and focused on establishing a more consistent, closed stride direction to help stay on the ball better. Wilson is a line-drive hitter who can do the little things—such as hit with two strikes or hit behind runners—and occasionally does damage to pitches in his wheelhouse. He has a chance to hit for average, but his power output figures to be modest. Wilson is a solid if unspectacular defender at shortstop who can make all the plays and has an above-average arm. The Giants are likely to get him time at second base and third base.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson is more polished than some of the higher-upside prospects in the Giants system. If he reaches his peak, he should be a solid contributor on both sides of the ball.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson started for three years in North Carolina State’s middle infield and capped his college career by hitting .339 with 16 home runs and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year as a junior. The Angels drafted him 15th overall and sent him to Rookie-level Orem. He showed solid foundational tools at the level, but scouts were skeptical of his ultimate impact. The Angels traded him—and Zack Cozart’s contract—to the Giants in December for lefthander Garrett Williams.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wilson has quick hands and deceptive strength at the plate and makes frequent contact with excellent bat-to-ball skills. He has a contact-oriented swing that mostly sends line drives up the middle, but he flashes gap power that could grow into more as he adds weight and strength. Wilson shows great vision, reliable hands and good feel at shortstop and quickly picked up the nuances and double-play pivot at second base in his pro debut. He is a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson could move quickly if he hits, but some fear he profiles more as a utility player than a starter in the major leagues. He will make his full-season debut in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson started for three years in North Carolina State's middle infield and capped his college career by hitting .339 with 16 home runs and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year as a junior. The Angels drafted him 15th overall and sent him to Rookie-level Orem. He showed solid foundational tools at the level, but scouts were skeptical of his ultimate impact. The Angels traded him—and Zack Cozart's contract—to the Giants in December for lefthander Garrett Williams.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wilson has quick hands and deceptive strength at the plate and makes frequent contact with excellent bat-to-ball skills. He has a contact-oriented swing that mostly sends line drives up the middle, but he flashes gap power that could grow into more as he adds weight and strength. Wilson shows great vision, reliable hands and good feel at shortstop and quickly picked up the nuances and double-play pivot at second base in his pro debut. He is a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson could move quickly if he hits, but some fear he profiles more as a utility player than a starter in the major leagues. He will make his full-season debut in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  A third-team Preseason All-American behind fellow shortstops Logan Davidson (first team) and Bryson Stott (second team), Wilson has been one of the most consistent hitters in the ACC the last three seasons. After hitting .300/.377/.504 as a freshman, Wilson has steadily increased his production each season. Through 39 games as a junior, he posted a .333/.412/.667 slash line with a team-high 13 home runs and a career-best 11.8 percent walk rate. The calling card with Wilson is his hitting ability. He has produced everywhere he's played and projects as a 60 hitter with plus raw power despite a smaller, 6-foot, 184-pound frame. Those offensive tools would suggest a superstar as an ACC shortstop, but Wilson's supplemental tools are lacking. While he's handled shortstop for the Wolfpack, most scouts believe his below-average running ability and lack of a quick first step will eventually push him to second base, where he should be a solid defender. His arm likely fits better at the keystone as well, and last summer with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, Wilson played second base while Stott handled the shortstop duties. There are some questions regarding how easily Wilson will be able to tap into his power with a wood bat, as he has a limited track record in that regard and didn't make much impact in his 24 at-bats with Team USA over the summer. There's also some swing-and-miss in Wilson's game, but it's hard to find a scout who doesn't believe in his bat and most scouts laud Wilson's makeup and baseball IQ.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The 15th overall pick in the draft, Wilson was the only 2019 first-rounder to see significant playing time in the Pioneer League, and that’s despite a couple of injuries that shortened his season. Wilson’s above-average hitting ability is what made him a first-round talent. He has solid bat-to-ball skills with a line-drive stroke and gap-to-gap power, but he may develop more pop as he gets stronger. Lauded with a grinder mentality, a high baseball IQ and plus-plus instincts, Wilson was credited with being a steadying influence on younger teammate Jeremiah Jackson. "He comes in wanting to play,” Orem manager Jack Santora said. "He lives and breathes baseball.” Wilson split time with Jackson at both middle infield spots. Scouts largely preferred him at second base, confirming pre-draft expectations.