Kris Wilken

Kristopher Michael Wilken

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 188 lb.
• School University of Houston
• High School Eldorado High School
• Born April 11, 1979 in Albuquerque, NM USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Corner infielder Kris Wilken played in the Baltimore Orioles system from 2000 to 2005. He spent one full season at Triple-A, 2005, but never ascended to the majors.

He was originally taken by the Boston Red Sox in the 6th round of the 1997 amateur draft, a few picks after star pitcher Tim Hudson, but didn't sign. He did sign after being taken by Baltimore in the 12th round of the 2000 amateur draft, a few picks ahead of pitcher Vinnie Chulk. He didn't possess much power, hitting just 22 homers in 2,060 at-bats—which is one every 94 ABs, on average—and his speed was even more limited, as he stole just 7 bags in 618 games—about one steal per season, or about one per 88 games. Much of his value resided in his versatility—though mostly a corner infielder, he also spent time at second base, catcher, left field, right field, pitcher and shortstop. He even earned a spot in the Arizona Fall League in 2003, playing for the Mesa Solar Sox.

In his one full season at Triple-A, 2005, he hit .229/.284/.302 with 2 home runs and 18 RBI in 86 games for the Ottawa Lynx.

Overall, Wilken hit .249/.316/.334 with 22 home runs and 221 RBI in 618 games. In 2000, he tied Kelly Eddlemon and Ty Martin for the Appalachian League lead in sacrifice flies with 5. In 2002, he tied Mamon Tucker for the Carolina League lead in double plays grounded into with 19.

His nephew, Brock Wilken, was a 1st round pick in 2023. He later became a longtime head coach at Bloomingdale High School in Valrico, FL.