Former Wolfpacker Will Wilson hits his first MLB home run in his first start of the season

Former NC State infielder Wil Wilson got his first start of the season after being called up by the Mariners 6 days ago, and he made the most of it.

Wilson launched a 2-run homer, the first of his MLB career, in his first at-bat.

WILL WILSON TWO RUN HOMER.

First Mariners at bat, makes it 4-2 🙏

I like him already. pic.twitter.com/OMj7lee9IW

— Seattle Mariners ON Tap (@MarinersONTap) April 25, 2026

He finished 1-2 on the day after being lifted for a pinch hitter later in the game.

Wilson played in 34 games last season for Cleveland, batting .192 with 15 hits, 4 doubles, and no homers. He walked 7 times, struck out 24 times and stole 2 bases. Earlier this year, he was signed to a minor-league deal by the Mariners.

Back in college, Wilson started all 61 games as a freshman at NC State (2017), batting .300 with 21 doubles (tied for the ACC lead and second-most by any freshman nationally), eight home runs, and 48 RBIs. He earned ACC All-Freshman honors and Freshman All-American recognition. His production only climbed from there.

As a sophomore in 2018, Wilson hit .307 with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs while setting an NC State record with three ACC Player of the Week awards. He earned First Team All-ACC honors and represented the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

Wilson saved his best for his junior season in 2019. He slashed .339 with 20 doubles, 16 home runs, and 57 RBIs in 55 games, leading the Wolfpack in several categories. That year he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-ACC, a Brooks Wallace Award finalist, and a consensus All-American. He finished his NC State career ranked eighth all-time in home runs (39), doubles (57), and ninth in total bases (around 409). His three-year slash line sat at a robust .315/.394/.584.

Selected 15th overall by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2019 MLB Draft, Wilson began a professional journey that has taken him through multiple organizations: the Angels, Giants, Guardians, and now the Mariners. He made his MLB debut with Cleveland in 2025, appearing in 34 games with a .192 average in limited action.

After being outrighted by the Guardians following the 2025 season, he signed a minor-league deal with Seattle in late January 2026 and reported to the Tacoma Rainiers.

In early 2026 action with Tacoma, the 27-year-old has shown flashes of his old college bat, hitting .275 with one home run, two doubles, four RBIs, a stolen base, and solid plate discipline.