Ashton Wilson is living out a story ‘only God can write’

OMAHA, Neb. — Ashton Wilson just wanted to compete. He played for Brian Martinez at TNXL Academy, a baseball academy founded by Brian Martinez that advertises a revolutionary high school experience for serious baseball players. Florida has signed three players out of TNXL Academy including pitcher Jack Leftwich.

Wilson wasn’t one of those. The utility player showed the ability to play all over the field in high school and was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 260 player and No. 56 shortstop in the state of Florida coming out of high school. He committed to Charleston Southern as a sophomore and then COVID changed the world. Like a lot of high school athletes who were trying to get recruited in 2020, things became complicated. Games and seasons were canceled. Coaches couldn’t go out on the road. But Wilson stayed true to his commitment and made his way to Charleston Southern in 2023.

It was eye-opening. First, he was away from home but the level of competition and the drive he had personally, and what he experienced at TNXL wasn’t there in Charleston.

Wilson made the decision to attend a baseball academy because he wanted to develop and get better. When he got to college he didn’t feel that same intensity.

Wilson competed in 39 games during his freshman season while making 36 starts at Charleston. He batted .252 on the year with a .358 slugging percentage and .380 on-base percentage. Wilson scored 27 runs, third most on the roster, and had 20 RBIs and collected 31 hits to go along with four doubles and three home runs.

But he wasn’t happy.

“It was a little rough that first year. Not a lot of competition. Everybody wasn’t trying to win. I was really just confused that first year,” Wilson told Gators Online. “Then I transferred out, entered the transfer portal and planned on going JUCO, fully.”

The call

Wilson was set to enroll at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers. He was just two weeks from leaving to be a Buccaneer when he got a phone call from his high school coach.

“He called me and he said, “I think UF wants you,’” Wilson told Gators Online. “I was like, ‘No shot. There’s no way.’ Maybe, like, 15 minutes go by and he calls me back and he says, yeah, UF is in. It all happened in a matter of like 20 minutes. I was like, ok, let me talk to my parents but I talked to them and it took like 10 minutes and I was in. The next day I called Chuck (Jeroloman) and committed.”

In a matter of minutes, Wilson’s plans were flipped upside down. He arrived in Gainesville and immediately found the competition and drive that he was looking for.

“I mean, every single person on this team is trying and has a goal in mind that they’re going to achieve it,” he said. “It just wasn’t like that (at Charleston Southern). In the weight room, everything about it (here) is way more driven. It’s way more fun. It’s fun when you’re competing and when you’re trying to win.”

That competition, like Wilson said, isn’t limited to the field. The guys are competing in the weight room, during conditioning, and even on the ping pong table in the team area at Condron Family Ballpark.

Ashton Wilson is living out a dream

Standing on the grass just in front of the first base dugout I asked Wilson what it felt like to be standing on this field, one of just eight teams still enjoying the privilege to play this game on this stage. He obliged more than I thought he would. He took a step back, his eyes scanning the seats and wall of glass luxury boxes.

“I feel like a story that only God could write,” Wilson responded.

Wilson’s story has taken twists and turns. He reveled in the competitive spirit of the Florida baseball program but he didn’t get many opportunities to play. He had just eight at-bats through the final home series against the Kentucky Wildcats.

“It was tough for a while because we were losing. It always sucks losing no matter what. I just tried to stay humble and realize the talent you have around you. It just wasn’t clicking. It wasn’t because they didn’t put me in the lineup or anyone else in the lineup, the team just wasn’t clicking,” Wilson said. “And that happens. I think we’re better on the other side of it for having gone through it. It was all for the best. I think you just gotta stay understanding, hey, there’s so many good people on this team.”

Wilson would get his opportunity due to injuries. Ty Evans crashed into the right field wall chasing a foul ball at Condron Ballpark, breaking his wrist. Freshman Hayden Yost took a starting spot but tore his ACL during a Wednesday practice before the Gators’ series against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Wilson was now an every day write in on the lineup card. Credit to him for continuing to work and prepare. It’s hard to take extra swings or get extra work in when you’re not getting the chance to play the game but Wilson never let his playing time alter his work.

The story of the NCAA Tournament for the Gators

Wilson came out of the gates swinging. He went 4-13 (.307) against the Bulldogs and played a key role in the Gators taking that series, which secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament. Then, the Gators went to Stillwater and Wilson showed the type of player he can be.

Wilson is a gamer. He works hard, is clutch, and can play all over the field.

Oh, and he can hit.

Wilson exploded against Nebraska, going 3-5 with three doubles and three RBI. He was moved up to third in the lineup to protect Jac Caglianone in the lineup. Brian Holiday held Wilson scoreless, and the Gators to just two hits, but Wilson wasn’t done being a catalyst for Florida.

Wilson went 5-12 in the Gators’ final three games and was named the Stillwater Regional MVP. Wilson went 3-8 in the Clemson Super Regional with three RBI in the two games. If not for one of the best catches I’ve ever seen, he might have had the game-winning hit, too.

It’s been a remarkable run for the sophomore but it’s not over yet.

“I don’t even have the words to describe this. It’s so insane. This is a dream come true, obviously. I said that to Chuck, it was a dream come true to play at Florida and being in Omaha is something I never even imagined or was close to my plans. This is all like, ‘wow, how did this happen type of thing.’”

It didn’t happen by luck. Wilson is reaping the benefits of hard work and the right attitude for competition and the Gators are fortunate he’s on their roster.

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