Who says video games are bad for kids? Fortnite has helped turn Athletics rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson into one of the premier hitters in the game.
Wilson explained to ESPN’s Jeff Passan that he plays the popular video game as soon as he gets up in the morning. The favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year described how playing Fortnite helps his in-game decision-making.
“Kids are going to love this one. Parents are going to hate me. I am a big believer in video games. It’s fast decision-making strategy,” Wilson said. “I think that gets me ready for the game, because when you’re in the box, you have to process a lot. So there’s some days where I’ll wake up and I’ll play video games and then I’ll go to the field, and I’ll have a good day. Some days I won’t play and don’t see the ball well. I think it really helps me train kind of the decision-making that I have to make six, seven hours later at the baseball field.”
Wilson has used Fortnite to help with his baseball skills for years. His father, 12-year MLB veteran Jack Wilson, was initially concerned the game was interfering with his son’s development in high school before coming around.
“I do believe in the hand-eye coordination that video games give — as long as you do your homework,” Jack told Passan. “Kids, if you’re reading, do your homework.”
Jacob Wilson is currently slashing .347/.388/.487 with a 145 OPS+. He has 104 hits on the season with 15 doubles and nine home runs.
What’s incredible about Wilson’s game is he rarely walks or strikes out. In 323 plate appearances, he’s struck out just 22 times while drawing only 18 walks. He has the lowest strikeout rate in baseball at 6.8% while ranking in the 19th percentile with a 5.6% walk rate.
Wilson will also — most likely — be heading to his first All-Star team. He leads Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. by nearly 500,000 votes after Phase 1 of voting, and it will come down to those two for the American League starting spot, with Wilson holding a commanding lead.
Wilson leads all rookies in OPS (.875), runs (41) and total bases (146).
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