WCC Players in the MLB: CJ Wilson

June 2, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher C.J. Wilson (33) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

CJ Wilson is one of the most successful and most interesting players in all of major league baseball. He is a great interview, and can be both inspirational and hilarious. This former LMU Lion is thriving in the big leagues, and this is a brief update on how Wilson is doing.

For those that do not know, C.J. Wilson is a starting pitcher who pitches for the Los Angeles Angels of Anheim. He made a name for himself when he played for Texas as a starting and relief pitcher. He has pitched in the major leagues for a total of nine years. He played at LMU for a total of one season, where he was a jack-of-all-trades; Wilson was a starting pitcher, closer, and outfielder, in his lone season in Los Angeles. Wilson punched out 72 batters in 80.1 innings pitched, and batted .289 while driving in 37 RBI’s.

Wilson started out his major league career on a bit of a sour note. He went 1-7 with a 6.94 ERA in his first year as a starter in the big leagues. The following season, the Rangers put Wilson in the bullpen, which proved to be a better situation for the former LMU Lion at the time. After a brief stint in the minors in 2006 due to an injury, Wilson worked his way into the Ranger’s closer position, which he did an sufficient job with. In 2010, after pestering the Rangers upper management to put him in the starting rotation, Wilson was named one of Texas’s five starters for the 2010 season. In 2010, Wilson started game one of the ALCS, where gave up 3 runs off of 6 hits. In 2011 he was named an all-star, and started game one of the ALDS for the Rangers.

In 2012, Wilson was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anheim for $75 million. He has been OK in Los Angeles, posting a 3.83 ERA last season last season.

This season, Wilson has a 3.93 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.40. Of the 12 games that he has started, Wilson has 4 wins, 4 loses, and 4 no decisions.

Over his career, Wilson has 3.67 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.31. He has posted a record of 60-49, and has struck out 883 hitters throughout his entire career.

Wilson might be more well known for his colorful personality rather than his playing ability. CJ Wilson believes in a straight edge lifestyle, which prevents Wilson from partaking in drugs and alcohol, among other things. Wilson matches his glove with the color of his uniform, as evident by the picture above, where he matches the Angels red jersey with a red glove. He did the same thing at Texas with a blue glove. Wilson is also passionate about both politics and car racing.

Wilson has had an up and down career his a great deal more up’s than down’s. Wilson is someone that has represented the LMU baseball program extremely well on and off the field.