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.
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?!
ReplyDeleteThe 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.