Brad Wilkerson

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Brad Wilkerson

|image=Brad Wilkerson.jpg

|team=

|number=

|caption= Wilkerson with the Mariners in 2008

|position=Outfielder / First baseman

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1977|6|1}}

|birth_place=Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S.

|bats=Left

|throws=Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=July 12

|debutyear=2001

|debutteam=Montreal Expos

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=September 28

|finalyear=2008

|finalteam=Toronto Blue Jays

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.247

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=122

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=399

|teams=

Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals ({{mlby|2001}}–{{mlby|2005}})
Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2007}})
Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2008}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2008}})

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}}

{{MedalGold| {{by|1995}} Massachusetts | Team}}

}}

Stephen Bradley Wilkerson (born June 1, 1977) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and first baseman who played eight seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is currently the associate head baseball coach of the North Florida Ospreys.

Wilkerson played college baseball for the University of Florida, and was selected by the Montreal Expos in the first round of the 1998 MLB draft. During his major league career, Wilkerson played for the Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays. He served as an assistant hitting coach for the New York Yankees during the 2023 season.

Early years

Wilkerson was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he attended and played baseball at Apollo High School. Wilkerson played for the US national junior baseball team in 1995. He was the most valuable player (MVP) of the World Junior Baseball Championship, pitching a three-hit shutout against Taiwan in the gold medal game, hitting .360, and leading Team USA with three home runs and eight runs batted in (RBI) for the tournament.

College career

A line drive hitter and versatile defensive player, Wilkerson received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Andy Lopez's Florida Gators baseball team from 1996 to 1998. A three-time first-team All-American, Wilkerson led the Gators to the College World Series in 1996 and 1998 with both his hitting and pitching. In the 1996 College World Series, he hit a dramatic grand slam to defeat the rival Florida State Seminoles.

As a junior in 1998, he became the first player in college history to hit 20 home runs, steal 20 bases, and win 10 games as a pitcher in the same year. The Gators advanced to the 1998 College World Series, and he was awarded the Rotary Smith Award as the most outstanding player in college baseball.{{Cite web|title=BradWilkerson.net|url=http://www.bradwilkerson.net/biography.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403062650/http://www.bradwilkerson.net/biography.html|archive-date=April 3, 2009|access-date=April 3, 2009|website=BradWilkerson.net}}

The pitcher-outfielder holds a number of season and career school records, including career batting average (.381), career slugging percentage (.714), and career on-base percentage (.531).{{Cite web|title=Florida Baseball 2018 Media Supplement (pg. 140)|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gatorzone.com/documents/2018/1/24/2018_UF_Baseball_Media_Supplement_WEB.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=March 12, 2018|website=Florida Gators|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216044637/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gatorzone.com/documents/2018/1/24/2018_UF_Baseball_Media_Supplement_WEB.pdf |archive-date=December 16, 2019 }}

Wilkerson was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 2010,{{Cite web|title=Gator Greats - Gator F Club, Inc.|url=https://gatorfclub.org/hall-of-fame/greats|url-status=live|access-date=December 13, 2014|website=Gator Club|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225104732/http://www.gatorfclub.org/hall-of-fame/greats |archive-date=December 25, 2013 }}{{Cite web|date=October 15, 2009|title=Eight Former Letterwinners Announced to be Hall of Fame Inductees|url=http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=16714|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004070851/http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=16714|archive-date=October 4, 2012|access-date=July 22, 2011|website=Florida Gators}} and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.{{Cite web|title=2012 Hall of Fame inductees announced|url=http://web.collegebaseballhall.org/news/article.jsp?content_id=26938170|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313031550/http://web.collegebaseballhall.org/news/article.jsp?content_id=26938170|archive-date=March 13, 2014|access-date=March 11, 2012|website=National College Baseball Hall of Fame}} In 2014, he received his bachelor's degree in sport management from the University of Florida.{{Cite web|date=December 19, 2014|title=Twenty-seven UF Student-Athletes to Participate in Fall Commencement|url=http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=29403|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222145003/http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=29403|archive-date=December 22, 2014|access-date=December 22, 2014|website=Florida Gators}}

Professional career

= Minor leagues =

The Montreal Expos selected Wilkerson in the first round, with the 33rd overall selection, of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web|title=1st Round of the 1998 MLB June Amateur Draft|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=1998&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round|url-status=live|access-date=January 7, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119000040/http://www.baseball-reference.com:80/draft/?query_type=year_round&year_ID=1998&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg |archive-date=November 19, 2009 }} Initially, he struggled in the minors. In {{baseball year|1999}}, Wilkerson hit .235 with eight home runs and 49 RBI with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators.{{Cite web|title=Brad Wilkerson Minor Leagues Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wilker001ste|url-status=live|access-date=January 7, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614161234/http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wilker001ste |archive-date=June 14, 2017 }} Back in the Eastern League to start the {{baseball year|2000}} season, Wilkerson tore up the league, hitting .336 with six home runs, 44 RBI and 36 doubles in 66 games. He was on pace to break the Eastern League record for doubles in a season before he was promoted to Triple-A Ottawa, of the International League. For the season, Wilkerson played in 129 games combined between Harrisburg and Ottawa, batting .295 with 18 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 47 doubles in 441 at-bats.

While coming up through the minors, Wilkerson was a member of the gold medal-winning USA baseball team in the Sydney Olympics.{{Cite web|last=Smits|first=Garry|date=July 17, 2020|title=JU hires Brad Wilkerson as baseball assistant|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/college/baseball/2020/07/17/ju-hires-brad-wilkerson-as-baseball-assistant/41719291/|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=The Florida Times-Union|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805142754/https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/college/baseball/2020/07/17/ju-hires-brad-wilkerson-as-baseball-assistant/41719291/ |archive-date=August 5, 2020 }} In one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history, Team USA defeated Cuba 4–0 in the Gold Medal Game.

= Major leagues =

Wilkerson made his major league debut with Montreal on July 12, {{mlby|2001}} against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He finished the game 0-for-3 with a walk.{{Cite web|date=July 12, 2001|title=Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Montreal Expos Box Score, July 12, 2001|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200107120.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204061219/http://www.baseball-reference.com:80/boxes/MON/MON200107120.shtml |archive-date=December 4, 2010 }} He recorded his first major league hit off Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox on July 17, 2001,{{Cite web|date=July 17, 2001|title=Boston Red Sox at Montreal Expos Box Score, July 17, 2001|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200107170.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623102051/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200107170.shtml |archive-date=June 23, 2012 }} and his first major league home run off Atlanta Braves pitcher Jason Marquis on July 26, 2001.{{Cite web|date=July 26, 2001|title=Atlanta Braves at Montreal Expos Box Score, July 26, 2001|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200107260.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623095856/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON200107260.shtml |archive-date=June 23, 2012 }}

In 2002 and 2003, Wilkerson delivered almost identical seasons with a .266 average, 20 home runs and 59 RBI in 2002, and a .268 average, 19 home runs, and 77 RBI in 2003.{{Cite web|title=Brad Wilkerson Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilkebr01.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406113102/http://www.baseball-reference.com:80/players/w/wilkebr01.shtml |archive-date=April 6, 2009 }} In 2002, Wilkerson's 20 home runs set an Expos rookie record, and he was named Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News. His most productive season came in {{mlby|2004}}, when he posted career-highs in homers (32), hits (146), doubles (39), runs (112), walks (106), slugging percentage (.498) and OPS (.872), and hitting .255 with 67 RBI. He hit for the cycle on June 24, 2003, against Pittsburgh (with the Expos).{{Cite web|date=June 24, 2003|title=Wilkerson fifth Expo to hit for cycle|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/230624120|url-status=dead|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=ESPN|publisher=Associated Press|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109014346/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/230624120 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 }} In that first instance, Wilkerson became the first player since {{mlby|1957}} to have the minimum four plate appearances and hit for a natural cycle.

In 2004, he hit the last home run in Montreal Expos franchise history. He appeared once more in an Expos uniform during the Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series shortly after the 2004 regular season. The Expos were to become the Washington Nationals for the {{mlby|2005}} season, prompting some to refer to Wilkerson as "The Last Expo."

Image:223 2344 Brad Wilkerson.jpg

Wilkerson opened the 2005 season as the regular center fielder and leadoff hitter after the Expos moved to Washington and became the Nationals. He hit for the cycle for the second time on April 6, 2005, against Philadelphia (with the Nationals, in their second game after moving from Montreal).{{Cite web|last=|date=April 7, 2005|title=Nationals' Wilkerson Hits for Cycle|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-07-sp-nl7-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091619/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-07-sp-nl7-story.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 }} Wilkerson also hit the first grand slam home run hit by a Washington Nationals player.{{Cite web|last=Camerato|first=Jessica|date=January 29, 2021|title=Hits to homers: Firsts in Nats' history|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nationals-firsts-in-team-history|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130164825/https://www.mlb.com/news/nationals-firsts-in-team-history |archive-date=January 30, 2021 }}

On December 7, 2005, Wilkerson was traded to the Texas Rangers along with outfielder Terrmel Sledge and minor league pitching prospect Armando Galarraga for second baseman Alfonso Soriano.{{Cite web|date=December 7, 2005|title=Rangers trade Soriano to Nationals|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2251887|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=ESPN|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210220801/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2251887 |archive-date=December 10, 2018 }} While playing for the Rangers in {{mlby|2007}}, Wilkerson hit three home runs in one game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – the third player to do so in 2007 behind Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee.{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=T.R.|date=July 4, 2007|title=Wilkerson's three homers provide edge|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070703&content_id=2064786&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321090614/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20070703&content_id=2064786&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex|archive-date=March 21, 2008|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=Texas Rangers|publisher=MLB.com}} An injury to, and later the trade of, Mark Teixeira led to Wilkerson making many of his starts at first base in 2007.

On January 31, {{mlby|2008}}, Wilkerson signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite web|last=Stone|first=Larry|date=January 31, 2008|title=Mariners sign outfielder Wilkerson|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-sign-outfielder-wilkerson/|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109014345/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-sign-outfielder-wilkerson/ |archive-date=January 9, 2022 }} On April 30, he was designated for assignment,{{Cite web|last=Dierkes|first=Tim|date=April 30, 2008|title=Wilkerson, Norton Designated|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/04/wilkerson-desig.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501154546/http://www.mlbtraderumors.com:80/2008/04/wilkerson-desig.html |archive-date=May 1, 2008 }} and on May 8 was given his unconditional release. On May 9, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web|date=May 9, 2008|title=Jays sign Brad Wilkerson, Deal for Kevin Mench|url=http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=237246&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512121338/http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=237246&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main|archive-date=May 12, 2008|access-date=May 9, 2008|website=TSN}} On August 22, he was put on the 15-day injured list with lower back spasms.{{Cite web|date=August 22, 2008|title=Blue Jays shelve Wilkerson, activate Bautista|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/blue-jays-shelve-wilkerson-activate-bautista-1.751012|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=CBC.ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109014349/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/blue-jays-shelve-wilkerson-activate-bautista-1.751012 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 }} On October 30, 2008, Wilkerson filed for free-agency from Toronto.{{Cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=October 30, 2008|title=Wilkerson heads for open market|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081030&content_id=3655933&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927114015/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081030&content_id=3655933&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=September 27, 2011|access-date=September 27, 2011|website=Toronto Blue Jays|publisher=MLB.com}}

On February 16, {{baseball year|2009}}, Wilkerson signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Boston Red Sox.{{Cite web|date=February 16, 2009|title=Red Sox agree to terms with OF Brad Wilkerson on Minor League Contract for 2009 with invitation to Spring Training|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090216&content_id=3835156&vkey=pr_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219205917/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090216&content_id=3835156&vkey=pr_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos|archive-date=February 19, 2009|access-date=February 19, 2009|website=Boston Red Sox|publisher=MLB.com}} He is one of the few players to play both major league Canadian teams, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Expos.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/players-who-played-for-multiple-teams-franchises.fcgi?level=franch&t1=TOR&t2=WSN&t3=--&t4=--|title=101 players who played for Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos, 1969–2004)|access-date=2023-09-03}}

Wilkerson decided to retire in 2009, having had one hit in nine Triple-A at-bats in the Boston minor league affiliate.{{Cite web|last=Barbarisi|first=Daniel|date=April 19, 2009|title=Brad Wilkerson retires after eight-year career|url=http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/sp_bb_wilkerson_web_20_04-20-09_8KE3COL_v2.2fc8a84.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421072514/http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/sp_bb_wilkerson_web_20_04-20-09_8KE3COL_v2.2fc8a84.html|archive-date=April 21, 2009|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=The Providence Journal}} He retired with a .247 batting average, .350 on-base percentage and 122 career home runs.

Attempting a comeback, Wilkerson signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on February 23, 2010.{{Cite web|last=Calcaterra|first=Craig|date=February 23, 2010|title=The Phillies sign Brad Wilkerson|url=https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2010/02/23/the-phillies-sign-brad-wilkerson/|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=NBC Sports|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124100611/https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2010/02/23/the-phillies-sign-brad-wilkerson/ |archive-date=January 24, 2021 }} However, he was released on March 29.{{Cite web|last=Dierkes|first=Tim|date=March 29, 2010|title=Phillies Release Brad Wilkerson|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/phillies-release-brad-wilkerson.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331180749/http://www.mlbtraderumors.com:80/2010/03/phillies-release-brad-wilkerson.html |archive-date=March 31, 2010 }}

Coaching career

In 2014, Wilkerson agreed to manage a middle school baseball team at The King's Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, leading the team to a league championship in his first year.{{cite web|last=Zaccaro|first=Chris|date=April 16, 2014|title=Wilkerson Leads TKA Baseball to Championship|url=http://www.tka.net/gold-medalist-and-mlb-veteran-brad-wilkerson-leads-tka-middle-school-baseball-to-championship/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523230103/http://www.tka.net/gold-medalist-and-mlb-veteran-brad-wilkerson-leads-tka-middle-school-baseball-to-championship/|archive-date=May 23, 2014|access-date=May 23, 2014|website=The King's Academy}} After the season, Wilkerson was hired as the school's varsity baseball coach.{{cite web|last=LaVicka|first=Ken|date=July 18, 2014|title=ESPN: King's Academy Tabs Brad Wilkerson New Head Baseball Coach|url=http://www.espnwestpalm.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=36921|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728192133/http://www.espnwestpalm.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=36921|archive-date=July 28, 2014|access-date=July 20, 2014|website=ESPN}}

Wilkerson is also a coach for USA Baseball. In 2014, he was named Volunteer Coach of the Year by the organization.{{cite web|date=December 18, 2014|title=USA Baseball Names Year-End Award Winners|url=http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=20141218&content_id=104408434&vkey=news_usab|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222171110/http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=20141218&content_id=104408434&vkey=news_usab|archive-date=December 22, 2014|access-date=December 22, 2014|website=USA Baseball}}

On July 17, 2020, Jacksonville University hired Wilkerson as an assistant for the Jacksonville Dolphins baseball team.

On January 30, 2023, the New York Yankees hired Wilkerson as their assistant hitting coach.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-yankees-name-brad-wilkerson-assistant-hitting-coach | title=Yankees name Brad Wilkerson assistant hitting coach | website=MLB.com }} The team relieved him of the position after the season and replaced him with Pat Roessler.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Randy |title=Yankees Hire Mets' Last World Series Hitting Coach as Assistant |url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2024/01/yankees-hire-mets-last-world-series-hitting-coach-as-assistant.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=NJ.com |publisher=New Jersey Advance Media |date=June 5, 2024}} On Aug. 17, 2024, Wilkerson was hired as the associate head baseball coach at the University of North Florida, where he is in charge of hitting and coaching third base. {{cite web |title=Wilkerson Joins Baseball Staff as Associate Head Coach |url=https://unfospreys.com/news/2024/8/17/wilkerson-joins-baseball-staff-as-associate-head-coach.aspx |website=Unfospreys.com |access-date=20 March 2025}}

Personal life

Wilkerson married Dana Marie Gleason in 2006. They have three children — Ella, Ava and Max. In 2006, he was named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Ernie Fletcher, the highest honor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.{{cite web|date=January 10, 2006|title=Kentucky.gov: Gov. Fletcher Honors Kentucky's Current Major League Baseball Players|url=http://migration.kentucky.gov/newsroom/commerce/majorleaguers011006.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090828/http://migration.kentucky.gov/newsroom/commerce/majorleaguers011006.htm|archive-date=August 19, 2014|access-date=August 18, 2014|website=Kentucky.gov}}

Wilkerson participated in numerous charitable functions over the course of his Major League career and he continues to do so post-retirement. He holds a charity golf tournament annually to raise money for various children's charities.