Grand Canyon University is receiving more attention from scouts this year than at any point in the 70-year history of the program. The reason for that is simple. Shortstop Jacob Wilson is projected to be the first-ever first-round pick from the Phoenix-based school.
Tim Salmon, the Angels’ 1989 third-round pick and franchise record-holder for home runs until Mike Trout came along, is Grand Canyon’s most famous alumni. But he is not the program’s highest-drafted player.
The highest draft picks in GCU history were both second-rounders, shortstop LeRoy McDonald in 1969 and lefthander Kevin Wickander in 1986. The latter pitched six seasons in the major leagues.
Wilson is a second-team preseason All-America shortstop, and that extra visibility elevates the profile of a GCU baseball program that returned to Division I in 2014.
“There’s definitely a buzz. There’s a lot of excitement,” first-year head coach Greg Wallis said. “You notice the media attention that he’s getting, that we’re getting, and you see more scouts around that you don’t recognize . . . It’s just built an incredible excitement around the program and the upcoming season.”
That Wilson would return to campus for his third season was not a certainty after longtime head coach Andy Stankiewicz left for the head coaching job at Southern California. Wallis, an assistant coach for nine seasons, had also departed for a job as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ohio State before being brought back to replace Stankiewicz.
Bu hikaye Baseball America dergisinin February 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Baseball America dergisinin February 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
