Marcus Wilson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #17 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson moved deliberately over five years in the Arizona system—finally reaching Double-A to open 2019—before being traded to the Red Sox in April for Blake Swihart and international pool money.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wilson has long been the athletic toolsy type, but he actually became more aggressive at the plate as his career progressed. That change enabled better control of counts and resulted in improved pitch selection and plate discipline. Wilson also adjusted his swing to add more life, which led to more fly balls and amplified power. Wilson split time both in center field and right field and profiles as an above-average defender with above-average range. Wilson's arm is fringy at best.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson's righthanded power and defensive prowess are valuable. He will need to continue to refine his approach to make more consistent contact.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #20 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Wilson put together one of the better seasons of any position prospect in the system in 2017, but he struggled to follow it up in 2018, posting alarming strikeout totals and getting chewed up by righthanded pitchers at high Class A Visalia.
  
  Scouting Report: Facing better pitchers than he ever had, Wilson's timing appeared to be off for much of 2018, some of which could be attributed to an inability to sync up his pre-pitch movements and his swing. A year ago, he drew praise for his plate discipline, but his approach backed up on him. He tried to stay patient and often wound up working deep counts, then got beat or chased with two strikes. His season might not have been as bad as the numbers show; Wilson's batted-ball data suggest he hit into tough luck. Opinions are split on his ability to remain in center field, though he has a solid-average arm that would play on a corner. He still earns good marks for his athleticism and coaches say he works as hard as anyone.
  
  The Future: Always viewed as a slow developer, Wilson might have to prove in spring he's ready for Double-A or else return to Visalia to begin 2019.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #6 prospect in 2018
  The D-backs believed Wilson was so raw when they selected him in 2014 they viewed him as a multi-year Rookie-level player. That's exactly how it played out, and after years of showing glimpses of his ability, particularly when it came to recognizing pitches, Wilson put things together in 2017, emerging as one of the organization's better position prospects. At low Class A Kane County he ranked third in the Midwest League in batting average (.295) and second in on-base percentage (.383). Wilson has perhaps the best plate discipline in the organization, drawing rave reviews from coaches for his ability to wait out pitchers until he gets something he can handle. He has average power, with some seeing the potential for 15 homers. He hit eight of his nine homers before the MWL all-star break, with some believing he might have worn down in the second half. He runs well and has a chance to stay in center field, though some scouts think that once he adds strength to his thin frame he might fit better on a corner. The D-backs were conservative with their promotions in 2017, so Wilson will get his first taste at high Class A Visalia in 2018.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #22 prospect in 2017
  Wilson made it to full-season ball in his third year as a pro, which was just about what the organization expected when he was drafted 69th overall in 2014. He has always needed to add strength to his lean frame, and that still holds true, but he has made improvements to his approach at the plate in that time. Wilson began in extended spring training again, then advanced to short-season Hillsboro, where he hit .252/.418/.319. He spent August at low Class A Kane County with similar numbers. Wilson turned in the best walk rate of his career in 2016 (17.5 percent) but also recorded a high strikeout rate (24.7 percent). He was young for his draft class, so he still has time to develop the strength needed to tap into his bat speed. He's a solid defender who covers plenty of ground and has an average arm. A plus runner, Wilson stole 25 bases in 30 attempts in 2016. He will return to Kane County in 2017.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #19 prospect in 2016
  The Diamondbacks knew when they selected Wilson that his ascent would be slow. While he remains a long-term project, the 19-year-old showed signs of growth at Rookie-level Missoula in 2015. He improved his pitch recognition and plate discipline but still needs to make more quality contact. While he added muscle to his lean, athletic frame, Wilson needs to get stronger to allow him to tap into his bat speed and drive the ball more frequently. His biggest improvement came with his outfield play. His above-average speed allows him to cover plenty of ground, but he needs to improve his jumps. His slightly below-average arm is enough for center field. Wilson is an aggressive baserunner who gets good jumps. He may not be ready for full-season ball, so a bump up to short-season Hillsboro is entirely possible.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #24 prospect in 2015
  Arizona was rewarded with a pair of competitive balance picks after the second round of the 2014 draft, using both choices on high-potential high school players in Isan Diaz and Wilson. The Diamondbacks signed Wilson for $1 million to keep him from heading to Arizona State. He has a tall, lanky frame with room to add weight and muscle. He's got decent bat speed and has strong wrists that can help the ball jump off his bat, but his swing gets long when he tries to compensate for his weakness. He's at least an average runner with first-step quickness now, and he should get faster with strength and better running techniques. The Diamondbacks see Wilson as a natural center fielder with an average arm and good instincts that help him get good jumps and reads. He'll head to one of Arizona's Rookie-level affiliates in 2015.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #44 prospect in 2014 draft
  Wilson got off to a strong start this spring, doubling twice at the Southern California Invitational in Compton in February, and he continued to show five-tool potential throughout the spring. Wilson is a classic high-risk, high-reward prospect, because his baseball instincts and fundamentals remain raw. His best tool is his plus speed, but it doesn't always play on the basepaths, where he is aggressive but not always at the right times. Some scouts say they have seen plus arm strength from Wilson as well, but others call it average. He has improved in center field, where he has a chance to be a good defender in time. Wilson could grow into fringy to average power as he fills out his wiry 6-foot-3 frame, because he has intriguing bat speed from the right side. His long arms enable him to get to balls out of the zone and drive them to the gaps. He'll need to improve his plate discipline and become more consistent with his stride, but he has a chance to hit for average down the line as well. Wilson is committed to Arizona State.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Midwest League #10 prospect in 2017
  The raw talent the Diamondbacks saw when they popped the California prep star in the supplemental second round in 2014 manifested this season. Scouts said Wilson was often the best player on the field no matter the opponent. His high motor and energy drew high marks from evaluators. In two years of Rookie ball, Wilson developed plate discipline and pitch recognition, and he has learned to grind out at-bats. He still has plenty of room to grow but maturity and increased leverage in his swing led to more over-the-fence power. He could have average or better power once he fills out. He projects to be an above-average hitter thanks to his plate awareness and ability to find the barrel. Wilson is an above-average runner with a fringe-average arm that will be playable in center field. He has an athletic, lean frame that could add good weight and runs like a wide receiver.
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  Ranked Pioneer League #16 prospect in 2015
  The Diamondbacks selected Wilson knowing that he was raw and physically undeveloped, and that he likely would require two seasons of Rookie ball. He graduated from the Rookie-level Arizona League to the Pioneer League in 2015 and appears ready for a full-season shot in 2016. Wilson added needed strength in the offseason but still has plenty of room to fill out. He made good strides with both his pitch recognition and plate discipline, which is evidenced by the 33 walks he drew, but he still doesn't make enough quality contact. More strength will allow him to better tap into his bat speed. Wilson's biggest improvement this summer was his outfield play. Above-average speed allows him to cover plenty of ground in center field, though he still could get better jumps. A slightly below-average arm should be enough for center and may get better with added strength. He's an aggressive baserunner who gets good jumps and moves around the bases quickly.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson moved deliberately over five years in the Arizona system—finally reaching Double-A to open 2019—before being traded to the Red Sox in April for Blake Swihart and international pool money.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wilson has long been the athletic toolsy type, but he actually became more aggressive at the plate as his career progressed. That change enabled better control of counts and resulted in improved pitch selection and plate discipline. Wilson also adjusted his swing to add more life, which led to more fly balls and amplified power. Wilson split time both in center field and right field and profiles as an above-average defender with above-average range. Wilson’s arm is fringy at best.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson’s righthanded power and defensive prowess are valuable. He will need to continue to refine his approach to make more consistent contact.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Wilson moved deliberately over five years in the Arizona system—finally reaching Double-A to open 2019—before being traded to the Red Sox in April for Blake Swihart and international pool money.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Wilson has long been the athletic toolsy type, but he actually became more aggressive at the plate as his career progressed. That change enabled better control of counts and resulted in improved pitch selection and plate discipline. Wilson also adjusted his swing to add more life, which led to more fly balls and amplified power. Wilson split time both in center field and right field and profiles as an above-average defender with above-average range. Wilson's arm is fringy at best.
  
  THE FUTURE: Wilson's righthanded power and defensive prowess are valuable. He will need to continue to refine his approach to make more consistent contact.