A’s Third Base Coach compares Jacob Wilson to Dansby Swanson

Eric Martins, third base coach for the Athletics, joined The Allen Stiles Show on Tuesday to discuss the state of the team amid a losing streak, the rise of shortstop Jacob Wilson, who he compares to around the MLB, and more.

Stiles asked Martins just how good Wilson could be and what it would take for him to reach the upper echelon of his position among the likes of Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr and Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz.

“Wilson is like a Dansby Swanson,” Martins said. “No disrespect to Jacob, but he’s not (an) elite athlete like Bobby Witt Jr. or Elly De La Cruz. But you look at Danbsy Swanson, he’s a technician. He’s in the right spot each time. He’s won a Gold Glove. He makes the plays he needs to.”

“(Wilson) is playing a solid shortstop. He’s making plays. He’s very instinctual. He’s in the spots that we need him to be and he’s turning into a leader in the infield out there, which we need at our shortstop.”

After playing just 28 games last season, Jacob Wilson quickly emerged as a staple and key piece of the A’s, batting .341 in 195 plate appearances in 2025.

That’s the third-best average in the league, only trailing elite talents Aaron Judge (.403) and Freddie Freeman (.371).

Plus, Martins said he thinks the A’s could be buyers, not sellers, at this year’s trade deadline.

Be sure to check out the entire segment with Eric Martins on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube page.

Other topics discussed include:

• Getting accustomed to the city of Sacramento
• Dealing with their recent losing streak: “We’ve got a (win) streak coming… we’ve just got to ride this out right now.”
• Worked with Jacob Wilson being a better fielder, improving his first step
• How much are the A’s missing Zach Gelof, who’s out with an injury?
• Is the team prepared for Mason Miller to be mentioned in trade conversations? “It’s always going to happen”
• Teams always think the A’s are going to be sellers at the deadline but Martins says, “We’re probably looking to add”
• And PLENTY more!

What’s next for the A’s?

• Monday, May 19th – Thursday, May 22nd – vs. Los Angeles Angels
• Friday, May 23rd – Sunday, May 25th – vs. Philadelphia Phillies
• Tuesday, May 27th – Wednesday, May 28th – @ Houston Astros
• Thursday, May 29th – Sunday, June 1st – @ Toronto Blue Jays
• Monday, June 2nd – Thursday, June 5th – vs. Minnesota Twins

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