Will Wagner, son of All-Star closer, enjoys big MLB debut for Blue Jays
![Will Wagner Toronto Blue Jays' Will Wagner, right, hits an RBI single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
Jayne Kamin-oncea](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/8/13/will-wagner-1-6998833-1723555710135.jpg)
Once he finally secured tickets for his famous father, Will Wagner had a major league debut to remember.
The son of former All-Star reliever Billy Wagner got hits in his first three at-bats to help the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Monday night.
“Just growing up in big league clubhouses, I kind of know what to expect,” the younger Wagner said. “It was a nerve-wracking day for sure, but once you get that first at-bat out of the way, it’s all good.”
Toronto acquired the infielder on his 26th birthday in the July 29 trade that sent pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros, where Wagner's dad spent the first nine of his 16 big league seasons.
Will Wagner was called up Monday from Triple-A Buffalo and started at second base against the Angels, batting sixth. He laced the first pitch he saw into the right-center gap for a second-inning double and finished 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run.
“I was nervous on the on-deck circle but once I was walking to the plate, I just started to gain a little bit more confidence,” Wagner said. “Just go up there and know I’m here for a reason, and I was just trying to be aggressive.”
His only misstep was forgetting at first to leave tickets for his fiancé and his father.
“My dad texted me and was like, ‘Hey, we still can’t get in,’” Will Wagner said. “I was like, ‘Oh gosh, I’ve got to get them tickets.’ But we got it all figured out.”
Billy Wagner made it to the ballpark following a whirlwind journey that first had him in Buffalo last weekend to watch his son play. After flying home to Virginia on Sunday, he learned of Will's promotion and boarded a plane for California.
The seven-time All-Star, a member of the Astros Hall of Fame, was quick to offer advice for the big day.
“He just said to relax and be present and have fun with everything,” Will Wagner said. “It’s just a game and have fun.”
Wagner singled with two outs in a four-run third for his first career RBI and rolled another single into right field in the fifth. All three hits to begin his career came against right-hander Davis Daniel.
Wagner became the fourth player in Blue Jays history to have three hits in his major league debut. He finally made his first out on a fly to center in the seventh.
“It’s pretty cool when you have a debut like that. It kind of gives guys some energy,” Toronto manager John Schneider said.
Wagner is primarily a second baseman, with experience at first and third. He's known as a line-drive hitter, with 25 home runs in 290 minor league games.
“Everyone, when they talk about him they say, ‘OK, he’s just a baseball player,’ and those guys usually find their way to do pretty well,” Schneider said. “A lot of contact, hits the ball hard, really smart in-game decisions.”
Schneider plans to use Wagner primarily at second base, with some opportunities to play third, and have him in the lineup regularly for the remainder of the season.
To make room on the roster, the last-place Blue Jays optioned infielder Luis De Los Santos to Buffalo.
The move was made after Wagner played just seven games at Buffalo following the trade from Houston. In 77 combined games at Triple-A for Sugar Land and Buffalo, he batted .315 with six home runs and 43 RBIs.
“When I was at Houston, in big league camp, we had (Alex) Bregman, (Jeremy) Peña and (Jose) Altuve and I would talk to them every day,” Will Wagner said. “And I was like, ‘These guys are going to be Hall of Famers.’ Now I’m here and I have (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) and Bo (Bichette) to talk to, too. And there is a mix of guys who are younger that I can fit in with, too. So I’m excited.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7032760.1726005779!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
TONIGHT Watch live here: The Trump-Harris 2024 presidential debate is tonight
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will meet face-to-face tonight in the ABC presidential debate. Here's how to watch the event that comes just two months before election day.
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
6 things to watch for when Kamala Harris debates Donald Trump
The fundamental question ahead of their meeting in Philadelphia, one of the highest-stakes national debates in a generation, is whether – and how – the presidential candidates can deliver a compelling message.
PwC plans to track employees' location while at work. Is this practice legal in Canada?
As PricewaterhouseCoopers plans to enforce its back-to-office policy by tracking employees in the U.K., one employment lawyer explains whether the practice is legal in Canada.
Terror suspect entered Canada with student visa in June 2023, immigration minister confirms
A Pakistani citizen who was arrested last week in Quebec and charged with plotting a terrorist attack in New York City came to Canada on a student visa in June 2023, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has confirmed.
Canadians want to tip 15% at restaurants, don't want to tip for takeout, survey says
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
'A decisive time': Mark Carney calls new role 'an honour,' dodges questions about running for office
In his first press conference on the job, newly appointed Liberal economic growth task force chair Mark Carney said it's 'an honour' to serve in his new role, but wouldn't say whether he plans to run for political office, or whether he'll recommend changing the controversial carbon tax.
Joly says Canada bars any Canadian-made arms from reaching Gaza
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Ottawa prohibits any Canadian-made weapons from reaching the Gaza Strip.
NDP MPs embrace distance from 'radioactive' Trudeau brand, as Singh convenes caucus in Montreal
Just days after demolishing his deal with Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is holding a three-day strategy session with his MPs in Montreal. There, his MPs are embracing their new-found distance from what one called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 'radioactive' brand.