Don Wilson Bumped from Starting Rotation...
...and named starting third baseman!
2-time Pitcher of the Month, 2022 All-Star, and 2019 20-game winner Don has been the staff ace in North Carolina ever since the Aviators began their rebuild. The 30-year-old pitcher with a 136-127 record and a career ERA of 3.78 has started 2026 with a thud.... 0-6 with a 7.20 ERA in 7 starts.
With starting 3B Goppy Gopalakrishnan going down for 3 weeks, it was the perfect time for management to give Wilson a change of scenery. According to Aviators manager Chappy, Wilson will fit in fine at the hot corner.
"We feel like Donny just needs to get out there and have some fun again. He's been pitching like it's a chore. He misses being at the plate. We'll sit him out of the rotation 'til ol' Goppy gets back healthy and let him play in the field, play at the plate. He's got the arm for 3rd. He's gonna be fine out there."
With the AFBL instituting a DH this year, Wilson has not been at the plate this year. But as pitchers go, he's probably the best hitter in league history. He hit .317 with 4 homers and 9 RBI in his finest season at the plate back in 2017, and boasts a career line of .281-14-74.
