MLB Player Profile: C. J. Wilson
Christopher John Wilson, famously known as C. J. Wilson is the Major League Baseball pitcher representing the Texas Rangers. Born on the November 18, 1980 Wilson became part of the Texas Rangers and of Major League Baseball in 2004 and since then he never
looked back.
Known for his characteristically different style of pitching, C. J Wilson has remained dedicated to academia as well with his interest in math and biomechanics. But much as he is known in baseball circle for his competitiveness, he is more of a wonderful
pitcher.
Being a rookie in the Texas Rangers in 2005, he had a 6.94 ERA in the 24 games where he also held a 1-7 record. That also led to the Rangers decision to induct him in the bull-pen as a full-time pitcher.
The 18 relief appearances that the star pitcher had back then made his ERA 2.73 with 1-2 record that he posted, showing a significant improvement. Although injury plagued his career at some point of time, the player never deterred to show his class and calibre
as the main player of the Rangers.
In an interview, he explained why his style of pitching remains different than his contemporaries. Wilson said, “My pitching thing has always been… the battle has been to stay healthy and wrangle my movement.”
The fact that he uses different techniques, mainly relying on data statistics to pitch, is unique for no other player can boast to have done that. Wilson also sheds light on this fact.
Wilson said, “As a starter, you just do it less often, because you’re trying to minimize pitches so that you can throw more innings. As a closer, or whatever, you’re going for 0 percent; you’re pitching for 0 percent. I was always trying to pitch for 0 percent
and pitch to the ultimate hole—my strength versus their weakness, my strongest point against their weakest point.”
With techniques ranging from fastball, sinker, slider and changeup, the Texas Rangers starter sometimes also opts for gyro-ball.
His 2011 season has 24 games where he has won 10 of them and lost 5. Having 3.35 ERA, the Texas Rangers starter has pitched 161.1 innings so far, allowing 72 runs and 143 hits with 1.23 WHIP.
Having totally played 315 games, Wilson has won 37 wins and 33 losses to his record. He has a 3.76 ERA with having allowed 306 runs and given up 571 hits in the 646 innings he has pitched so far in his career.
C. J Wilson has also held the record of having saved 52 games, maintaining an earned average of 3.72 with 555 strike-outs to his credit, which certainly point to the fact that he remains a tough challenge for the hitters.
As the Texas Rangers stand fifth in the MLB ranking this season with 64 wins to their credit, following only the Atlanta Braves that stand at fourth with 66 wins, Wilson’s contribution in winning the games for the Rangers will be needed the most for the
team.
C. J. Wilson, will be looking to try his level best to live up to the expectations of his team as the Rangers brace themselves for the most crucial part of the 2011 MLB season.
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