It was a .500 week for the Kane County Cougars as they went 3-3, going 1-2 at home against Cedar Rapids and 2-1 on the road at Quad Cities. Despite the past week being average as far as the team results, there was one individual who stood out among the rest of the Cougars.
Marcus Wilson is a 20 year old outfielder for Kane County and he is a highly regarded prospect within the Arizona Diamondbacks system. The product of Gardena, California was the 21st ranked player in the D’Backs system entering 2017. The organization, and Wilson for that matter, have been very patient with his development as he has spent his first three professional seasons in Rookie ball or Short Season with 25 games coming in Kane County last season before starting 2017 on his first full season roster. Wilson is a well rounded player with a good hit tool, good speed, and solid defense in the outfield.
He got off to a slow start in the second week of the Midwest League season, but we all know it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. He was 9 for 22 on the week, which is impressive in its own right, but went 8 for 14 in his last three games, which included a clinic at the plate in the series finale with Quad Cities.
Here is a game by game breakdown of the back half of Wilson’s week:
4/13 @ Quad Cities: 2/4, 1 HR, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R
4/14 @ Quad Cities: 3/5, 3 1B
4/15 @ Quad Cities: 3/5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB
It is clear that the development plan for Wilson is already paying off and, with him still being just 20 years old, there is plenty of time to ensure he continues on this developmental path. In 10 games this season, Wilson is slashing .405/.511/.811 with four homers, 12 RBI, and 2 SB. Of Wilson’s 15 hits on the season, six have gone for extra bases which have helped to put him at the top of the Midwest League leaderboard in total bases. It is also worth noting that Wilson has struck out just five times in his 37 at bats. Defensively he has played well as he has committed just one error while splitting time between left field and center field.
Kane County opens up week three with a three game home series starting Monday against the Beloit Snapper before taking to the road for seven games.
Featured Image Courtesy of: Paul R. Gierhart/MiLB.com
