Late bloomer Wilson faces no-loss dilemma after draft

By: Alexis Brudnicki

Canadian Baseball Network

Jake Wilson can’t make a bad decision.

Already committed to the Bowling Green State Falcons to further his education while playing the game he loves, the 18-year-old Great Lake Canadians outfielder has a choice to make, after being selected by the Boston Red Sox organization in the 39th round of Major League Baseball’s draft on Saturday.

“I haven’t made my decision yet about either going to school or going to play with the Red Sox,” Wilson said. “I hope to make my decision within a week or two, but there is no rush in making it because this is the largest decision I’ve been faced with in my life. What factors in is that I have a really good scholarship opportunity at Bowling Green State University.”

With Wilson having spent much of his time over the last couple of years with the Canadians, Adam Stern – not only Great Lake’s director of player development and manager of the outfielder’s squad, but also the Red Sox scout covering Canada – saw more than enough from him to convince his organization to make the pick.

“Jake is one of those players who came in and there was some ability there, but he really matured the final year,” Stern said. “He got a lot stronger, he can really play defence, I like the way he plays, really good makeup on the kid, and he’s been probably one of our best hitters for the past two years.

“He really grew up as a player and learned his game. He’s putting it all together this year. It’s fun to watch, and obviously I really liked where he’s at. I thought he was one of the best defensive centre fielders in the country and that’s what interested me.”

Stern has been even more impressed by Wilson of late as one of his instructors than as the scout looking to sign him.

“As his coach, he really showed me something with the final year,” the former big-league outfielder said. “Obviously with high schoolers, the guys get stronger. He really put it together offensively this year, and he’s really deserved it. He’s put a lot of hard work in. The kid travels three hours in the off-season to come down twice a week. He’s put in all that effort as a senior, and in the end he gets selected in the major league draft.”

The selection came as a little bit of a surprise for Wilson, who was hoping and expecting to hear his older brother Zac’s name throughout the process, currently a junior outfielder at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but the younger Wilson was in pleasant disbelief at the outcome, very proud to be a part of the group of just 25 Canadians chosen in total.

“I wasn’t expecting anything from the draft, to be honest,” he said. “And this isn’t the way I planned it to go down, because I expected my brother Zac Wilson to get drafted…

“It’s a huge honour to be a part of the 25 Canadian draftees, and to be drafted amongst these tremendous ballplayers. I was very excited to see my name selected because this is a dream come true. Also, all my friends and family were very happy for me, so I can’t really choose who was the most excited.”

The native of New Lowell is happy with the progress he’s already made and how far he’s come since joining the Canadians program out of London, and is looking forward to whatever the next step might bring, whether he is playing baseball at the collegiate level or among the pro ranks.

“The GLC program has been the biggest contributor to my development,” Wilson said. “The coaches and the instructors have been unbelievable. They’re the best in Canada. GLC’s off-season program has made me bigger, stronger, and faster than I was a year-and-a-half ago when I first joined. I am now a lot faster, I’m able to throw a lot harder, and I’m much stronger. Also, now I’m a comfortable hitter because of the coaches…

“I’m most excited for my future development and growth in baseball, and just being able to play the game at the highest level possible.”

Also looking forward to seeing what more will come from the young outfielder, Stern and the Great Lake program know that that he will find success wherever he lands.

“He’s a late bloomer,” Stern said. “He’s going to keep getting better. I don’t think he’s done growing or maturing. He’s got a really bright future ahead of him, and wherever it takes him, I know he’s going to outwork the competition. That’s never a fear with him. He’s got a great attitude, and kids like that you want to see play a long time.”

Wilson is one of six players from the Canadian Premier Baseball League selected in the draft this June, among a total of 12 high schoolers chosen. Toronto Mets catcher Andrew Yerzy was taken in the second round, 52nd overall, by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ontario Blue Jays hurler Jordan Balazovic followed in the fifth round, taken 153rd overall by the Minnesota Twins.

OBJ catcher Luke Van Rycheghem was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 23rd round, and was followed by Mets southpaw Matt Jones in the 28th round, taken by the Twins. GLC right-hander Austin Shields was chosen in the 33rd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.