Wilson aims for strong finish at Bowling Green
Former Great Lake Canadians OF Jake Wilson (New Lowell, Ont.) looks for strong finish with the Bowling Green Falcons. Photo by Ian Campbell.
Junior outfielder Jake Wilson is the only current Bowling Green Falcon player so far to have been drafted by a Major League Baseball team, as he was picked by the Boston Red Sox.
Wilson was selected by the Red Sox in the 39th round, before the start of the college season in 2016.
At the time, however, Wilson was still playing at the high school level for the Nottawasaga Pines Timberwolves in Essa, Ont., under 10 miles outside of his hometown of New Lowell, Ont.
“It was surreal,” Wilson said. “I was in disbelief, it was always a dream of mine to accomplish that goal and once I did I was baffled. It was just a great feeling to be with my family to get the news. Actually, my dad found out before I did because he saw it online and he told me. I didn’t believe him, but then later on, the Red Sox called to congratulate me and I was in disbelief, but it was a great feeling.”
However, Wilson decided to decline the offer and instead go to college and play for the Falcons, beginning with the 2017 season.
“It was hard since it was my ultimate goal to get drafted and play at the highest level I can,” Wilson said. “But I knew that the best choice for myself and for my family was to come to college and get an education, make memories and make friends that will last a lifetime.”
Wilson also said that he decided to go to Bowling Green because of the coaching staff as well as enjoying the college town experience.
“They took me on a visit and I thought (I wanted to come here) right when I set foot on campus,” Wilson said. “The coaches were great, my parents loved the college town part of it and I just fell in love. It was everything I could ask for from a Division I baseball program that I wanted to go to.”
Wilson’s family has also been involved in baseball for a long time, which inspired him to play college ball.
“My family’s a big baseball family,” Wilson said. “My little brother plays at Davenport University and both of my parents played growing up. We’re just a huge baseball family and I grew up in it and I fell in love as soon as I stepped foot on the baseball field.”
Going forward, however, Wilson is looking to put more of a focus on the mental aspect of the game.
“I just want to improve on focusing on control,” Wilson said. “I remember last year I’d get upset over stuff that I couldn’t control like getting a hit or a guy making a nice play on me, but I’ve just got to remember I’ve got to control what I can control and worry about that. If you have a good attitude and stay positive, you’ll have a successful season.”
Wilson has had a solid start to his junior year, with five RBIs along with 15 runs, 28 hits and four walks in the 25 games played so far in this season, as well as maintaining a .272 batting average.
The Falcons’ next challenge will be this weekend at home against the Miami RedHawks, as the team looks to increase their six-game home winning streak.
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