Bill Wilkinson

William Carl Wilkinson (born August 10, 1964) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. A left-handed pitcher, Wilkinson played for Major League Baseball's (MLB) Seattle Mariners in 1985, 1987, and 1988. He had a 5–8 win–loss record, 4.56 earned run average (ERA) and 103 strikeouts in innings pitched.

Career Wilkinson attended Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, Colorado, where he was named the most valuable player and most outstanding athlete his senior season.

The Mariners selected Wilkinson in the fourth round of the 1983 MLB draft, with the 87th overall pick. On June 13, 1985, he made his MLB debut with the Mariners, and took the loss against the Kansas City Royals after allowing four earned runs in innings. Five days later, Wilkinson lost in his only other appearance during the 1985 season, which was also a start; he allowed five earned runs and recorded only one out. In his two MLB starts, Wilkinson was 0–2 with a 13.50 earned run average (ERA). He was the fifth-youngest player in the American League in 1985. Following his start against the Rangers, the Mariners demoted him to the minor leagues. He strained his lower back on July 12 and missed the rest of the season. In 1985 and 1986, Wilkinson had a combined record of 13–9 while pitching for the Cannons, leading the team with 23 starts and 7 complete games.

Wilkinson appeared in 56 games as a reliever for Seattle in 1987, the most of any Mariners pitcher that year. He dealt with elbow tendinitis, going on the 15-day disabled list in late July. Wilkinson never pitched for the Pirates and did not return to MLB after 1988.

Personal life Born in Greybull, Wyoming, Bluejacket and Wilkinson were the first great-grandfather and great-grandson duo that have both played in MLB. Wilkinson's brother, Brian, was selected in the 1987 MLB draft by the Mariners and reached High-A in 1991.