Friday, November 14, 2014

Meet a Prospect: Justin Wilson


Justin James Wilson was born on August 18, 1987 and spent his college years with the 2008 College World Series Champion Fresno State Bulldogs. Wilson spent parts of the 2012 to the 2014 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being traded to the New York Yankees for catcher Francisco Cervelli. Wilson is a member of the Yankees on paper but he wasn’t official until now so let’s meet a prospect, let’s meet Justin Wilson.

Wilson attended Buchanan High School in Clovis, California where he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 37th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. Wilson did not sign and opted to instead head to Fresno State University where he was named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team and won a College World Series in 2008 in his junior season. After his junior season the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted the lefty in the fifth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft 144th overall.

Wilson spent the next three seasons in the Pirates organization before breaking out during the 2012 season when he pitched the first 7.1 IP of a combined no hitter against the Durham Bulls. Wilson would pitch another no hitter that season this time going the complete 8.0 IP against the Charlotte Knights. Rain ended the game in the eighth inning but it did not rain on his parade as 11 days later he was called up to the major leagues. Wilson pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts in his major league debut on that same day.


Wilson had a successful 2013 season pitching to a 6-1 record and a 2.08 ERA while regressing a tad in 2014 pitching to a 3-4 record with a 4.20 ERA. Now Wilson will spend the 2015 with the New York Yankees and we welcome him and him monster left arm with open arms.

1 comment:

  1. Well hell, why not have another lefty for the Pen or as a Starter. I mean, let's face it, most of the top of the line hitters are Left handed hitters. If he can add a very good pitch, the change-up, I do mean very good! He already throws the cutter (I think) if he can learn how to throw the change-up...everything is fast...he should be able to get back to his better days......Maybe?!
    The best pitch (other than a 95+ fastball) is the changeup, one can throw it along with any other pitch, whereas cutters, sliders are sometimes the death of a moving FB. I never liked the cutter/slider, never used it and have never taught it unless asked. I have always taught the curve, changeup and different finger pressures on each of them along with movement for the FB.

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)