Wilson signs on the dotted line

Above: Kenny Wilson, center, smiles with his parents, Mary, left, and Ken Sr., right, after Wilson signed a professional contract with the Blue Jays. Below: Jays area scout Joel Grampietro watches as Wilson signs.

Former Sickles centerfielder Kenny Wilson made good on the wish of a 3-year-old -- that was when young Kenny first told his father he wanted to be a professional baseball player -- signing a pro contract with the Blue Jays on Monday afternoon at his graduation party in Indian Shores.

Wilson, who was Toronto's second-round pick and the 63rd selection overall, signed a deal worth just more than $700,000, which included a predetermined $644,000 signing bonus slotted for his draft space by the commissioner's office.

"I never thought anything like this could be possible," Wilson said. "That's the way I've always felt. I was just a normal high school player trying to get a scholarship. I never thought something like this could happen to me. I've always wanted it. Don't get me wrong. I just never thought it would happen like this."

Wilson, a Times' all-Suncoast first-teamer, signed the contract with about 100 family members and friends on hand. Joel Grampietro, the Jays' area scout, represented the Toronto organization.

Wilson will report to Dunedin for a physical and finish the deal. He will play for the Blue Jays' short-season Gulf Coast League rookie league team in Dunedin. His pro debut will be June 19 and with Dunedin just a short trip away from Tampa, there was the promise of a regular Wilson cheering section at games GCL games.

"Anyone with a van, call me," Wilson's father, Ken Sr., told the guests.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Comments

[Waste of Money]

Wish the Blue Jays and Wilson the best. Kid will never get out of Low A ball. Can't hit a lick.

Get a life "waste of money" the Blue Jays wouldn't have picked him in the 2nd round 63rd overall if the didn't think he had it.

[TampaChessDon]

Wilson batted .400 this year, including 8 doubles, a triple and 2 HR's in the 23 games reported on MaxPreps. He also collected 16 walks, was HBP 6 times and ROE an additional 4 times. In the 4/7 game against Alonso, Wilson collected two hits off of Alex Panteliodis who is on his way to UF on scholarship. I'd say Wilson has a good plate appearance and the poster at 8:26 doesn't have a clue.

[TampaChessDon]

Check out the kid's stats on MaxPreps. The poster at 8:26 doesn't have a clue.

hey Mr. Wilson I think you can buy a van now
Good Luck!

[Sherman Johnson]

Kenny,
Good luck son. We are so proud and happy for you and your mom and dad.

Sherman

[Waste of Money]

We'll see in time. The Panteliotis kid was not drafted and there must have been a reason. When Wilson has to face pitchers in the mid 90's with real nasty stuff, remember the prediction. I do wish him the best of luck though! But, it was a 'huge' waste of money.

Maxpreps.com would be the last place to check on stats. Local baseball people know how big of a joke maxpreps
is.

Panteliotis probably has pretty good grades

He has very good grades, thats why he and tucker didn't get drafted.

Grades are the reason guys don't get drafted? I think it's more a) Talent or b) signability.

wat a beast..

[Coach Ray]

Great Job Kenny. I know you'll work hard to get to the SHOW! Congrats to you and your family!

12:32 doesn't know the system - #1 signability.

Remember people, ONLY 1500 out of thousands and thousands and thousands of kids get picked. Just because A.P. is a great athlete in the high school level and he might be great on the college level, doesn't mean he's a sure bet to get drafted. Same goes with Preston Tucker. Grades have very little to do for the draft.

Great athlete...i havent seen the kid in a few years and he looked pretty out of shape to me.

So 10:00, youre saying that those kids drafted in the 40th and 50th, etc. rounds are better than A.P. and Tucker? HAHAHAHA

[shughes]

Thank goodness guys like "Waste of Money" don't do the scouting for these kids. Time will tell if the kid's got the goods. Good luck Kenny. We're proud of you and pulling for you kid.

[RayJ]

Absolutely-Signability is the main ingredient once we take for granted that the kid has the talent. Some of these guys have 1st day talent but commitments to big time college programs or inexperienced advisors who throw out numbers cause teams to either not take them at all or take them high and hope they are able to sign before the signing period ends.

hitting .180 in first 100 pro at bats

134 at bats, 54 strikeouts batting .179
Good Scouting Department BlueJays.
At least the 5th rd pick can hit.

Full Name: Kenneth E. Wilson
Born: 01/30/1990
Birthplace: Tampa, FL
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 165
Bats: R
Throws: R

2008 Season
Team League AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
BLU GCL .179 42 134 20 24 5 2 0 11 33 17 54 20 3 .300 .246 .546

.179-they must be making him hit lefthanded-right???

Finished off the season hitting like he should. But, he was a reach for a 2nd Round Pick.

Steals bases, but the 5th Rounder hit better and ran the bases just as well if not better. He too was a reach for the 5th Round, but will be a wonderful minor league player for many years.

They only hate on you when you are good kid.

No...that's incorrect.

The numbers speak for 15th Round talent, which is where I thought he might be drafted. He's a project, long term at best.

He can't hit, he can run though.

If he ever makes it past AA ball, I will be his biggest supporter.

It ain't happening!

I never see him hittin a SINGLE HR from him in his career.

The pitching only gets better as he moves up.

[mary wilson]

to all you player haters out there especially the last comment you are right about pitching only gets better as you move up but are wrong about the home runs you must not have been to many ball games where he has hit home runs 2 even in one game and even a grand slam kenny has one thing going for him he has alot of heart and talent for the game I guess 29 scouts dont know what they are talking about then. good luck in the instructional league and thanks to all who have supported us over the last 14 years mwilson

[Alexander Edinborgh]

I am a former team-mate of Kenny and I must say, no one has wanted it more. To all the negative comments, here are the facts: Kenny is doing what he loves and making more money then any of you day giggers that are miserable. I suggest you be happy for my old friend and take into consideration that what you have to say means very little to this young athlete who has a much higher agenda then you. To Kenny's parents I wish you guys the best and am very proud to claim I used to play with a pro-athlete haha. To Kenny: best of luck bro, I pray for your success, and you've inspired me to want to play ball again.

[Michelle Wilson]

To all you haters! Get a life, Kenny has worked hard since he was three years old, baseball has been his life, he is dedicated to the game, he will only get better, it pisses me off that people can be so mean and pass judgement on a kid they don't even know. That's right six figures coming behind his eighteen year old name, don't hate it's a WILSON thang you just can't understand! Congrats Kenny! You are the bomb you have worked hard and you deserve it! Hi haters we see you.......... you people posting negative comments will never see six figures!
Peace, Love, and many Blessings
Your Big Sis Celeste