Sports360AZ
Story written by Jayla French
Getting drafted by a MLB club is the ultimate accomplishment. Solidifying that all your hard work has paid off and has been acknowledged.
For Tyler Wilson, a senior outfielder at Grand Canyon University, his dream became a reality after hearing his name by the New York Yankees in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB draft on Monday.
For the past ten consecutive MLB drafts, the Lopes have had at least one draft pick with 24 overall since 2015. Wilson joins Tayler Aguilar and Mick Vorhof as the third Lope to be selected by the Yankees.
“It’s a great day for Tyler, his family, and the entire GCU baseball program,” GCU head coach Gregg Wallis said.
Wilson was a standout at Hamilton High School in Chandler, AZ. During his junior year, he helped lead the team to a 26-7 record and a state championship in 2019, which he considers his top sports memory to date. Additionally, he received all-state and all-region recognition and was ranked as the state’s top catcher.
That was just the beginning of many successes for Wilson as his game transferred over seamlessly to his college career.
In his four years, Wilson is in the ranks for the program’s all-time top-10 for the number of games played (206), 728 at-bats, 242 hits, and 376 total bases. He hit .300 or better in his college career.
This season alone Wilson racked up many accomplishments winning WAC Player of the Year and setting career bests for his batting average, runs, hits, doubles, homers, and RBIs.
This helped advance the Lopes to the NCAA tournament for the third time in the last four seasons earning a trip to a regional championship for the first time.
Wilson has had ties with the MLB long before this moment as his father, Steve, had a six-year career pitching for the Rangers, Cubs, and Dodgers.
Born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Wilson lived there for the first nine years of his life before moving to Arizona. Wilson loved the game before he even touched a baseball. Growing up his favorite athletes to watch were Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, and Yadier Molina.
After moving, it was only a short matter of time before playing came naturally for Wilson, developing his game as an ambidextrous player or switch-hitter.
From an early age, it was clear Wilson was well on his way to great success and caught the attention of GCU, receiving and accepting an offer in his freshman year at Hamilton High School.
Wilson had to face his fair share of challenges on his journey to the big leagues, one of which was a right shoulder injury he suffered in his sophomore year of high school. Following the injury, he could no longer play with that arm as a catcher, changing his game style.
After not playing his senior year season in high school due to the pandemic, and reinjuring his right shoulder his freshman year at GCU, Wilson had to reevaluate the type of player he was.
Wilson took on a limited role as a designated hitter leading up to his senior year, as he became eligible for the draft. This was just another layer added to his story.
Aside from his accolades on the field, off the field, it’s been a big year for Wilson as he became a U.S. citizen last September after a 10-year-long process, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management in April and was named WAC player of the year in May.
Wilson has achieved so much in his career thus far, even through adversity. It’s only the beginning, as he is now looking onward to this next chapter in the pros as the newest Yankee.
“Just beyond blessed and at a loss for words,” Wilson said. “A lot of hard work to be able to get here and couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches here at GCU. Excited to get things going and all glory goes to God!”
