Athletics take significant gamble with Jacob Wilson extension

The Athletics have been proactive about locking in their core for the foreseeable future. That push continued on Friday.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the A's agreed to terms with shortstop Jacob Wilson, 23, on a seven-year, $70 million extension. He is the fourth player the A's have signed to an extension since January 2025, joining designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and outfielders Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom.

Wilson had an impressive rookie season for the A's. A 2025 All-Star and the runner-up for the AL Rookie of the Year award, he posted a .311/.355/.444 batting line in his 523 plate appearances, hitting 13 homers and 26 doubles. He displayed impressive contact skills, striking out only 39 times.

Athletics gambling that Jacob Wilson can continue impressive performance

Wilson does come with some red flags. He only drew 27 walks for a 5.4% walk rate, far below league average (8.3%). Wilson ranked in the first percentile in average exit velocity (84.6 mph), in the second percentile in hard-hit rate (24.7%) and in the sixth percentile in barrel percentage (2.2%). A part of those mediocre metrics could be due to his 32.1% chase rate, limiting the quality of his contact.

Questions surround Wilson's defensive future as well. He cost the A's 10 runs defensively, the third-worst total of any player with at least 250 innings at short. The other two players, Bo Bichette and Carlos Correa, will be at third base next season. As top prospect Leodalis De Vries is a shortstop, Wilson could get pushed to second or third in the near future.

The combination of high contact, low walk rates and soft contact can work. Free-agent infielder Luis Arraez has a similar profile and is a three-time batting champion. Playing in the bandbox known as Sutter Health Park, and the eventual move to Las Vegas, should help Wilson produce. However, the A's are making a significant investment in Wilson as they hope he can continue to produce as Arraez has.