Angels select Will Wilson with 15th overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft

With the 15th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, the Angels selected Will Wilson on Monday, June 3rd. Wilson is a 6-foot, 184 pound shortstop from North Carolina State University. Wilson, a junior, slashed .344/.452/.674 this season with 16 home runs, 32 walks, and 45 strikeouts in 218 at-bats.

From MLB Pipeline:

Though he’s not physically imposing, Wilson has quick hands and deceptive strength that give him at least above-average raw power. A right-handed hitter, he has a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He shows the ability to hit for average and power, and he has done a better job of drawing walks this spring despite his aggressive approach. The biggest knock on Wilson is his below-average speed. Most big league shortstops run better than that, though some scouts think he can stay at the position because he has quick actions and hands. Others believe his speed and average arm will land him at second base, where he played as a freshman and still would profile well offensively.

From Baseball America:

Scouting Report: A third-team Preseason All-American behind fellow shortstops Logan Davidson (first team) and Bryson Stott (second team), Wilson has been one of the most consistent hitters in the ACC the last three seasons. After hitting .300/.377/.504 as a freshman, Wilson has steadily increased his production each season. Through 39 games as a junior, he posted a .333/.412/.667 slash line with a team-high 13 home runs and a career-best 11.8 percent walk rate.

The calling card with Wilson is his hitting ability. He has produced everywhere he’s played and projects as a 60 hitter with plus raw power despite a smaller, 6-foot, 184-pound frame. Those offensive tools would suggest a superstar as an ACCshortstop, but Wilson’s supplemental tools are lacking. While he’s handled shortstop for the Wolfpack, most scouts believe his below-average running ability and lack of a quick first step will eventually push him to second base, where he should be a solid defender. His arm likely fits better at the keystone as well, and last summer with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Wilson played second base while Stott handled the shortstop duties. There are some questions regarding how easily Wilson will be able to tap into his power with a wood bat, as he has a limited track record in that regard and didn’t make much impact in his 24 at-bats with Team USA over the summer. There’s also some swing-and-miss in Wilson’s game, but it’s hard to find a scout who doesn’t believe in his bat and most scouts laud Wilson’s makeup and baseball IQ.

Have at it, friends!