Brock
Wilken

Wilken has answered the challenge of showing improved plate discipline during his junior season. His high strikeout rate was a concern entering the spring season. He has always shown 70-grade raw power and the ability to get to it (40 HR combined 2021-2022) during games, but control of the strike zone had eluded him until now. His strikeout rate has been reduced to 20%, down from 24% in 2022. He also has an equal number of walks and strikeouts (35) compared to a 2:1 ratio in the wrong direction (71 SO:34 BB) last season. In general he has laid off down/away out of the zone sliders and his swing path appears longer through the hitting zone. He’s a thumper with impact potential but needs to maintain the power production while keeping the swing/miss at a reasonable level, as the stick is the lynchpin to his pro value. He’s also a better defender than one would assume by just taking a quick glance at the large-framed, 6-foot-4, 225 pounder. He ranges in all directions and shows plus arm strength to complete the play. There’s little doubt in my mind that he will be able to stay at the hot corner in pro ball. In the preseason scouts wanted to see a better approach before buying completely into the idea of Wilken as a first-rounder. They have certainly seen that guy and now it’s just a matter of time before he’s likely chosen towards the end of the first round this summer.

Cape Cod: Wilken has hit 40 homers combined in his first two seasons at Wake, living up to his billing as a blue-chip prospect out of high school. He won Cape League MVP honors after his freshman year in 2021, and though his batting average dipped to .229 in 109 at-bats this summer, he still hit five homers and five doubles in 109 at-bats. Wilken's carrying tool is his easy double-plus raw power from the right side. He uses an upright stance and a short stride, and he routinely hits missile line drives over the left-field wall. Wilken draws his share of walks, but his strikeout rate has also soared this year, as he fanned 71 times in 254 at-bats this spring, then fanned another 35 times this summer, about once every three ABs. He swings through hittable pitches in the zone more than he ought to, and he's an aggressive hitter who can expand the zone early in at-bats, often putting him in negative counts. Questions about his hit tool prevent Wilken from being a slam-dunk top-10 projected pick at this stage, but his strength is undeniable, and he could still be a marquee pick next summer with some adjustments at the plate. Wilken is a poor runner with fair range and actions at third base, but his strong arm is an asset at the hot corner, and he has a chance to stick at the position in pro ball, though he is unlikely to ever be a standout defender there.

USA CNT TRIALS: has established himself as one of the more impressive power hitters for the 2023 draft class, launching 23 homers for Wake this past spring and 40 over the past two-seasons. Strikeouts have been a major issue, however, and those struggles continued through trials with Wilken K'ing in a quarter of his plate appearances and producing inconsistent quality of contact. He's a thumper with impact potential but needs to get back to place where the power production isn't purely quality over quantity, as the stick is the lynchpin to the profile's pro value.

A blue-chip recruit who smashed 17 homers as a true freshman for the Demon Deacons this spring, Wilken has continued to rake this summer for Harwich, hitting .304/.420/.539 with six homers, nine doubles and 24 RBIs in 115 at-bats. With an upright stance and a quiet approach, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Wilken sees the ball well and shows good pitch recognition and plate discipline, posting a respectable 19-34 BB-K mark this summer. His calling card is his easy plus raw power from the right side, and we saw him smash a two-run homer deep down the left-field line on a Tanner Witt curveball. He has very good rhythm and balance in his swing, which produces repeated hard line-drive contact, particularly to the pull side and middle of the field. Wilken also has a strong arm at third base but needs to prove he has the agility and actions to stick at the position, (he DH’d in several of our looks, making it difficult to get a read on his defensive development). But one thing is certain: Wilken should be one of the top bats in  the 2023 draft class.

Wilken has been the biggest offensive standout in the 17U division all weekend. Plus frame at 6’4 210. Plus power and above average to plus hit tool. Showed slight tendency to chase high FB. He starts tall and sinks into swing well with great separation. Plus bat speed. Moves well defensively with a strong arm.

Wake Forest recruit. Wilken continued to stand out offensively throughout the weekend, as he shows above average strength on a 6-foot-4, 202 pound frame. During batting practice, he consistently squared the ball up with loud, hard contact, sending the ball deep into the gaps with present pull side pop. Ball really jumps off the bat. Registered the highest exit velocity of the day at 96 mph off a tee in the cage. During one of his at-bats during the scrimmage, he got under a ball and just missed putting it over the right field fence, settling for an easy stand up double. Also displayed an above average arm behind the plate, topping out at 81 mph on his throws down to second.

10/01/18 - Wilken continued to hit baseballs extremely hard, including a 400+ foot home run with a wood bat to left-center field. He has a strong frame and a solid defender at third. The bat plays. It is a compact swing with bat speed and strength. He will have a chance to hit with above average power at the next level and plenty of power to stick at the corner infield.

The 6-foot-3, 175 pound C/3B looks the part with broad shoulders and projectable frame. Shows above average defensive actions at both third and behind the plate. He is an above average receiver behind the plate with flexibility and defensive upside. Showed a quick transfer to release with a strong arm and resulted in pop times in the 1.85-1.95 range. He also shows high offensive upside with above average bat to ball skills. He tends to collapse the back side some and have some length, but there is above average bat speed and a lot to like offensively. Overall is extremely intriguing with a high ceiling and a lot of versatility.

6-foot-1, 170 pounder with a long, lean, athletic, projectable build. At the plate shows a wide base with good balance, quick hands, and a level swing. Squared the ball up twice during the game with singles to right and left field. Receives well and displays good instincts. Made a tough catch on a high pop-up right behind the plate.