Athletics' Jacob Wilson Struggles Persist Early in 2026 Season

The A's shortstop's high-contact approach is not producing hits so far this year.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:51pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the deconstructed elements of a baseball player's batting stance and swing, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the fragmented nature of the player's early-season struggles.A cubist interpretation of a struggling young baseball player's swing, reflecting the fragmented nature of his early-season struggles at the plate.Oakland Today

Oakland Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, who signed a $70 million, seven-year contract extension after a strong rookie campaign in 2025, has struggled mightily at the plate to start the 2026 season. His batting average on balls in play has dropped significantly, and his strikeout rate has spiked, leading to concerns that these issues may linger for the young star.

Why it matters

Wilson's value is heavily tied to his batting average, so if he cannot regain his form from last season, it could become a major problem for the Athletics as they try to build around their young core. The team made a significant long-term investment in Wilson, so his struggles are a concerning development.

The details

Through the first month of the 2026 season, Wilson is batting just .250 with a .275 batting average on balls in play, down from .317 in 2025. His strikeout rate has more than doubled from 7.3% to 12.3%, while his walk rate has plummeted from 5.2% to 1.2%. Despite hitting the ball harder more often, Wilson's contact is not resulting in hits, which is problematic given his high-contact, batting average-dependent approach.

  • Wilson signed a $70 million, seven-year contract extension with the Athletics in the offseason following his strong rookie campaign in 2025.
  • Through the first 81 plate appearances of the 2026 season, Wilson is batting .250 with a .275 BABIP.

The players

Jacob Wilson

The Athletics' 24-year-old shortstop who signed a $70 million, seven-year contract extension with the team after a breakout rookie season in 2025.

Jack Wilson

Jacob Wilson's father, who also played in the MLB as a shortstop for several teams.

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What they’re saying

“The risk with a high-contact hitter is that not all contact is created equally. A weak batted-ball profile is catching up to Wilson this season.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

If Wilson's struggles continue, the Athletics may need to re-evaluate their long-term plans and consider potential trade options for the young shortstop.

The takeaway

Wilson's high-contact, batting average-dependent approach is not producing results so far in 2026, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the Athletics' significant investment in the young shortstop. The team will need to closely monitor Wilson's performance and make adjustments if these issues persist.