Wilson looking for dream ending to an uplifting season
IronPigs regular keeps on hitting no matter where he’s called upon
NEW YORK — Even before rain complicated a rather meaningless season-ending series, Weston Wilson understood his job at Triple-A was to stay ready.
Around his storybook big league debut in August and a brief September cameo, Wilson kept right on hitting. He could get a postseason look down the line, the Phillies roster hardly etched in stone to the exclusion of the versatile power-hitting righty.
Saturday, Wilson got a shorter-term assignment: With three games against the Mets in two days to finish the season, he could help get regular starters off their feet. He might also restate his case for a dream ending to a watershed season.
“Obviously it crosses my mind,” Wilson said Saturday before Game 1 at Citi Field. “I would love to be a part of that. But that stuff is kind of up to them and something that kind of depends on who we’re playing, the situation and the matchups. I don’t give it too much thought.”
Wilson’s first season with the Phillies has been eventful. The utility man who turned 29 this month made his big-league debut Aug. 9, homering in his first at-bat to back Michael Lorenzen’s no-hitter. He was demoted a week later, then recalled briefly in September while Trea Turner was on the paternity list.
Around his Philly stints, Wilson has continued to rake for the IronPigs, with a .259 average, 31 home runs and 86 RBIs. His Triple-A momentum hasn’t slowed with the up-and-down: He’s hitting .283 with four homers and 13 RBIs in his last 15 games.
He returned to the bigs by starting Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader at third base. He singled and scored in the eighth inning, then slapped an RBI single in the ninth and stole two bases before being stranded at third in a 4-3 loss. He started Game 2 at first.
Wilson’s path to the majors has largely been blocked by Rodolfo Castro. Acquired via trade from Pittsburgh, the Phillies wanted to preserve an option year in 2024 by keeping Castro with them. Not by playing him, though: Castro had just 21 at-bats through Sept. 22 and went 3-for-30 in all.
Wilson is in the running for one of 13 position player spots in the postseason. He’s likely ahead of Castro but trails Jake Cave for his left-handed bat, above average outfield defense and backup ability at first base. Wilson and Cristian Pache seem to be vying for the final spot. Wilson’s trump card is a .325 average he has against lefties this season.
Manager Rob Thomson said there’s not much the Phillies need to see from Wilson this weekend to influence the decision beyond actually knowing the next postseason matchup.
“I think we know what we’ve got,” he said. “It’s more about filling in the needs that we have the next couple of days, and then we’ll figure out a playoff roster after that.”
Wilson isn’t looking too far down the road, knowing his playoff fate is largely out of his control. He’s just continuing to do what he’s done, and he’s doing it with more confidence in his place in a big league clubhouse.
“I think just knowing that I can play here,” Wilson said. “It’s always one of those things that you think about it. I know I’m good enough to get to the big leagues. Then you need to get an opportunity to get to the big leagues, then you want to stay in the big leagues. I think being here, being around the guys and playing after the first time gave me confidence that I can play in the big leagues. I feel like I can play here for good.”