Talking Chop's Minor League Player of the Week: Isranel Wilson

Another week, another tough decision to make in terms of the minor league player of the week. Dustin Peterson was excellent again, Cedric Hunter and Rio Ruiz are both riding hit streaks that certainly warrant attention, Jonathan Morales has been clearing fences with regularity down in the GCL with Juan Yepez following close behind, and several pitchers (including Lucas Sims who was awarded the Southern League Pitcher of the Week) have had excellent weeks. However, we decided that this week, our minor league player of the week is 17-year old Isranel Wilson. Touted as a possible 5 tool outfielder out of St. Martin, Isranel had a rough start to his career in the GCL. He was striking out well over a third of the time and while the power has always been there, by the time the beginning of August came around he was hitting well below .200. However, as is often the case with really young players, something clicked for Isranel and now he is thrusting himself in to the conversation for being one of the Braves' highest ceiling hitting prospects.

In the past week or so, Isranel had 9 hits including 3 home runs, 5 RBIs, and 5 BB (to go along with 7 Ks). His performance has risen his season slash line to .230/,358/.504 and while he certainly still has some holes in his game (his season K% of 31.9% is particularly cringe worthy), he is also just 17 years old which gives him more than enough time to learn how to best use his talent. Also, at 6'3 and 185 pounds, his frame is one that can project for more power if he wanted to work towards that. Its also heartening that Isranel's week does seem fluky but the sign of a real turnaround that began at the beginning of August. he has brought his average up over 50 points since then while his strikeouts have decreased somewhat over that same period of time.

So congratulations Isranel Wilson (and all the other minor leaguers who had great weeks) for being our minor league player of the week!