A's Sign #6 Overall Pick Jacob Wilson

The A's first-round selection then spoke with the media in Oakland

Jacob Wilson may have just signed a big contract, but he was on the field for batting practice, taking ground balls, and taking mental notes watching the A's players at the Oakland Coliseum on Monday. 

With the sixth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Oakland A's selected shortstop Jacob Wilson out of Grand Canyon University. On Monday, he signed with the Oakland A's for $5.5 million, well below the $6,634,000 slot value for that pick. By taking Wilson where they did, the team was also able to sign their third-round selection to a huge overslot deal. 

Wilson said his signing today is, "Surreal. Being able to be here today is a dream come true." 

Wilson's bat-to-ball skills were second to none in this year's class, as evidenced by the fact that he struck out just five times in 217 plate appearances for the Antelopes. He also walked 19 times, giving him nearly a 4-to-1 walks to strikeouts ratio. All of this while batting .412 with a 461 on-base percentage (OBP) and six home runs. 

The A's top pick was ranked as Pipeline's number ten prospect ahead of the Draft. His dad, Jack Wilson, played 12 seasons in the big leagues with the Pirates, Braves, and Mariners and was a career .265 hitter with a .306 OBP. He never struck out more than 74 times in a single season at the big-league level. Jack was also an All Star and a Silver Slugger in 2004 with Pittsburgh. 

After being taken by the A's, Wilson reached out to his former high school teammate Max Muncy, whom the A's took 25th overall in the 2021 Draft and talked to him about the organization, instructs, and other things that are coming up for him. They also talked about Muncy's recent promotion to Double-A Midland on July 14. 

From here, the A's first rounder will be headed home to pack some things up before heading to Arizona for instructional league. "Just super excited to get back on the field and be able to be part of the team again." 

The A's first-round selection also called the Coliseum, "A beautiful place to watch a game.