http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/..._news&fext=.jsp

 

 

 

Wilson: Out with an injury

 

 

? Wilson: Starting with a bang

? Wilson: Driving cross-country

 

 

Josh Wilson is a shortstop in the Florida Marlins organization. Selected in the third round of the 1999 draft, the Pittsburgh native spent the 2004 season with the Double-A Carolina Mudcats and Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. The 23-year-old hit .315 with a .396 OBP and .486 SLG in 81 games with Carolina, then hit .279/.337/.408 in 56 games for the Isotopes. He's a member of the Phoenix Desert Dogs this AFL season.

 

 

 

Hey everyone,

 

We are through two weeks out here in the AFL and the Desert Dogs are off to a great start. We are 7 -2 with that suspended game still looming. Hopefully we will continue to play well and pile up wins.

 

My week was fairly uneventful as I have missed the last five games with a strained muscle in my ribs. I did a lot of rehabbing over the course of the week and I have been feeling better the last couple days.

 

 

 

It still might be a little while before I'm able to get back in the lineup though. I am hoping that by the end of the week I will be OK. I enjoyed another relaxing off day and another Steelers victory on Sunday. The best part was the game was actually on CBS and I was able watch it in my apartment rather than search for a sports bar that was showing the game. So all in all it was a good week aside from the injury. That should be in the past before too long. So let me get to some emails!!

 

I've had some questions about how I got involved in doing this journal while I'm in the fall league and if other journal writers ever discuss what we write about. As far as how I got involved, my good friend, high school teammate, and current Detroit Tiger Donnie Kelly was in the AFL last year and did a journal. Donnie and I have the same agent and he asked me if I would be interested in doing a journal. So that is basically how I got started. And from what I understand, there are only four guys this year doing journals. One of them is a Desert Dog teammate Mark Teahen and the others I'm not sure of. But I haven't really talked to Mark about what he has been writing about or what questions he is asked. I'm just kind of winging it, I guess.

 

Next, I've had lots of email wondering what part of my game I am working hardest on out here and what it's like playing a full season and then playing in a fall/winter league on top of it. I can say when I first found out I was coming to the AFL, I was intent on working on defense and becoming the more patient and run-scoring hitter I want to be. However, when I arrived out here, I found out I would be playing mostly second base. So my sights changed slightly. I will still certainly be working on my defense, just on the other side of the infield. The last time I played second on a regular basis was in 2001 so I am, without a doubt, a little rusty over there. Knowing that I might have a chance to play in the big leagues next year, becoming a solid second baseman is my top priority.

 

A 140-game season does wear you down but I feel like I am in good shape right now and I shouldn't have any lingering effects carry over to next season. From November 18 when the season ends until mid-February, I will have plenty of time to recover and regain any strength that I lost while playing.

 

Finally, there are a lot of Marlin fans out there wondering who the next up-and-coming stars are in our system and when they will have an impact. I know after last season's World Series victory the fans in south Florida are hungry for more. I can tell you that we have some very good talent and there are some guys that should have an impact soon. I don't want to name too many names because I might upset someone if I leave them out. I will tell you two names, though, that I think you should definitely watch for. And both of them are out here in the AFL. Jeremy Hermida and Eric Reed.

 

Eric is certainly among the five fastest players in all of baseball if not the fastest. He can absolutely fly. He plays great defense and already is pretty good at playing his game on offense and will only get better. Jeremy has definitely impressed everyone out here. I had not ever seen him play in the few years he has been a Marlin since being drafted, but I always heard from coaches and players that he had some pretty good ability. Now, after seeing him play out here for a couple weeks, I know for myself that he is the real deal. He spent the whole season in A-ball and has no time in AA. So coming from the Florida State League to the AFL is quite a jump. And all he has done is hit everything that is thrown at him including a pair of homers. Pretty impressive.

 

That concludes another week in the AFL. Thanks again to all you readers and emailers!!! Keep the emails coming.

 

Josh

 

Send Josh an email!

click on the link to the story and scroll down to find out how to email Josh with any questions or if you just want to wish him good luck

He seriously should come post here. How cool would that be, a real big leaguer here (well soon enough).

He seriously should come post here. How cool would that be, a real big leaguer here (well soon enough).

 

 

 

He should..he seems like a great guy...could give us some funny stories from the clubhouses as well...and if he's still in the minors..he can give us a nice update on future stars....

 

 

Admin..maybe you can pull some magic... :thumbup