Inside the Draft: Why the Jays took Wilson.

It came as a surprise to some that Sickles centerfielder Kenny Wilson went so early in this year's MLB  first-year player draft. Wilson, who blossomed during his senior season and had signed to play at UF, was selected by the Blue Jays in the second round with the 63rd overall pick.

Joel Grampietro, the Blue Jays' area scout, said Wilson impressed the Jays with his speed and said he went high because Toronto's system lacked depth up the middle.

"I think it was moreso looking at our system and seeing that we didn't have very many players up the middle," said Grampietro, who also scouted and signed current Rays first baseman Carlos Pena, a former first-round pick, while he was a scout for the Rangers. "With the exception of Vernon Wells, we don't have a lot of high-impact guys in those places. We've really changed our landscape when it comes to high school players."

Toronto traditionally is more high on college players than high school players -- and those prep players the Jays have taken high were power bats -- but the organization saw Wilson's tools, especially his speed, as exemplary for a high school player. Wilson led Hillsborough County this season with 37 runs scored and 26 stolen bases.

"He has an outstanding first step,"  Grampietro said. "And that translates defensively. He's good on the bases. As far as his bat goes, he's not small. He's lean, kind of like a Coco Crisp-type build. Whether that will translate into home runs later on, I don't know. But we think he's got enough bat to be good."

Grampietro planned to meet with Wilson and his family this afternoon to discuss contract details. As the 63rd pick, he would receive a $644,000 signing bonus, as slotted by the commissioner's office. If he does sign, Wilson would then report to Dunedin for a physical and a workout as soon as possible, Grampietro said.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Comments

[!The Bat! !The Bat!]

The Bat? The Bat? You have to hit to get on base! 2nd Round, $644K and they're talking about the bat? I sure hope it develops, only time will tell.