Justin Wilson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #8 prospect in 2013
  Wilson etched his name in College World Series lore by winning the championship game for Fresno State in 2008. He had the distinction of being part of two no-hitters last season at Indianapolis, pitching 7 1/3 innings of a combined effort against Durham on April 29 and a rain-shortened, eight-inning gem versus Charlotte on Aug. 9. He led the International League in opponent average (.189) and ranked second in strikeouts (138). Wilson throws harder than most lefthanders, working with a 92-94 mph and reaching 96. His peak velocity spiked to 99 mph when he worked in a relief role in Triple-A late in each of the last two seasons, though he didn't throw that hard while coming out of the bullpen during his first big league callup last September. Wilson's curveball, slider and changeup all can be average pitches, but his command of his entire arsenal is spotty. That's why the Pirates have looked at him in relief. Pittsburgh still hasn't decided if Wilson's long-term future is as a starter or a reliever, though the latter seems more likely in the long run. He'll get a chance to win a job in the major league bullpen during spring training. If he doesn't make the Pirates, he may continue starting at Indianapolis to give him more innings to work on his command.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #17 prospect in 2012
  Wilson capped one of the most improbable runs in College World Series history by winning the title game for Fresno State in 2008. He enjoyed playoff success again two years later, when he was named MVP of the Eastern League postseason by contributing 13 shutout innings to Altoona's championship. He struggled in Triple-A last year, though, so the Pirates moved him to the bullpen in the final month to get him back on track. Wilson earned a spot on the 40-man roster after he was a revelation in relief, hitting the upper 90s in short stints after topping out at 95 mph as a starter. The Pirates still believe he can be an effective starter if he improves the command of his fastball, which normally sits in the low 90s with life. He also throws a bigbreaking curveball and a changeup with some fade. Pittsburgh faces a decision in spring training: keep Wilson in the bullpen, where he could help immediately at the big league level, or put him back in the rotation, where he'd likely need a second full year at Indianapolis. His arm action makes it difficult for him to throw strikes consistently, which ultimately may point him to relief.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #15 prospect in 2011
  Wilson was drafted with the reputation as a big-game pitcher, having won the decisive game of the 2008 College World Series for Fresno State. He added to that in 2010 by being named MVP of the Eastern League playoffs as Altoona won the title. He went 2-0, 0.00 in starting Game Three in each of the Curve's series victories and threw a total of 13 shutout innings. Wilson's fastball peaks at 95 mph and fluctuates from 87-93, and it comes with a sneakiness that brings swings and misses. He has a long way to go to improve fastball command, and needs to work on the consistency of his velocity. His delivery is a little rough, with a slight hook in the back, and he has a tendency to shift on the rubber depending whether the batter is lefthanded or righthanded. He has a big-breaking curve and a changeup that comes with some life and promise. Although Wilson's strikeout total and opponent average ranked second in the EL last season, the Pirates might send him back to Altoona to work on his command, rather than have him get beat up by Triple-A hitters.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #33 prospect in 2010
  One of the heroes of Fresno State's improbable 2008 College World Series championship, Wilson pitched a complete game to beat Georgia in the clincher. He signed too late to make his pro debut that summer, and the Pirates aggressively placed him in high Class A to start his pro career. He struggled at first, going 3-6, 6.29 in his first 17 starts before going 3-2, 1.90 in his final 11. Wilson's fastball fluctuates from 87-93 mph and moves so much that he has a hard time keeping it in the strike zone. He also throws a curveball and a slider. The most encouraging part of his first pro season was the improvement he made with his changeup. He doesn't offer much in the way of projection but is powerfully built and could be a durable innings eater. He'll jump to Double-A in 2010 and with his polish, he could reach Pittsburgh the following season as a back-of-the-rotation starter or middle reliever.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #29 prospect in 2009
  Wilson was one of the heroes of Fresno State's improbable College World Series championship last season, allowing one run and striking out nine in eight innings to beat Georgia in the clincher. He was drafted in the fifth round before the CWS, and he increased his bonus demands after starring in Omaha. He agreed to terms with the Pirates two days before the Aug. 15 signing deadline, getting $195,000--$2,000 below MLB's slot recommendation. Wilson struggled to command his four-pitch repertoire in college and will need to throw more strikes to be successful as a pro. His fastball has good life and has been clocked as high as 93 mph, though it usually sits at 87-89. He also has two breaking pitches, a curveball that breaks sharply and a slider with a shorter break. He has struggled to throw a changeup, and improving it was a point of emphasis during instructional league. Wilson is advanced enough to start this season in low Class A. He could get to the majors quickly if he can dial in his command.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Wilson etched his name in College World Series lore by winning the championship game for Fresno State in 2008. He had the distinction of being part of two no-hitters last season at Indianapolis, pitching 7 1/3 innings of a combined effort against Durham on April 29 and a rain-shortened, eight-inning gem versus Charlotte on Aug. 9. He led the International League in opponent average (.189) and ranked second in strikeouts (138). Scouting Report: Wilson throws harder than most lefthanders, working with a 92-94 mph and reaching 96. His peak velocity spiked to 99 mph when he a relief role in Triple-A late in each of the last two seasons in Triple-A, though he didn't throw that hard while coming out of the bullpen during his first big league callup last September. Wilson's curveball, slider and changeup all can be average pitches, but his command of his entire arsenal is spotty. That's why the Pirates have looked at him in relief. The Future: Pittsburgh still hasn't decided if Wilson's long-term future is as a starter or a reliever, though the latter seems more likely. He'll get a chance to win a job in the major league bullpen during spring training. If he doesn't make the Pirates, he may continue starting at Indianapolis to give him more innings to work on his command.