How Giants prospect Wilson uses lessons learned from Crawford originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The pandemic changed the path for every player who was in the minor leagues in March of 2020, but only a few have taken a more winding one than Giants shortstop prospect Will Wilson.
Wilson was acquired three months before the sport shut down that spring in a deal better fit for the Oklahoma City Thunder than an MLB offseason. The Giants essentially took on an expiring contract to get a first-round talent, paying the $12 million left on Zack Cozart’s deal and then releasing him a month later.
While Cozart ended up being the highest-paid Giant in 2020, Wilson made it to Oracle Park before ever playing in a minor league game for the organization. He was included in the player pool for the summer camp held before the shortened season, which gave him an opportunity few prospects get in their first professional season: Wilson spent that month learning from the best defensive shortstop…