'It's special': Hooks' Will Wagner follows father's footsteps in Astros organization

Will Wagner's journey to being drafted by the Houston Astros started in Houston alongside his father Billy Wagner more than 20 years ago.

Although Will can hardly remember his dad in an Astros uniform striking out batters with his signature fast ball, the constant trips to the ballpark set the tone for his dream to one day play in the major leagues.

The Astros drafted Will Wagner with the 538th pick of the 2021 Major League Draft and his father Billy Wagner was drafted 12th overall by Houston in 1993 — nearly 28 years to the date of his son.

"It's pretty special," Will Wagner said. "I know he played eight years with the Astros and he's had so many stories about the Astros. I don't remember much because I was young but all the memories he shared with me were pretty cool. It's special to be in this organization."

Will's memory of his father pitching became more clear at the end of 2003 when Billy Wagner was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Will was 5 years old at the time, but the realization of his dad's hall of fame worthy career started to become transparent.

"It was pretty cool," Will Wagner said. "Being in the locker room with my dad and watching guys play all the time drew me to baseball. I went to pretty much every game and he usually just pitched one inning. Sometimes he wouldn't pitch, but my favorite memories where when he was with the Phillies and he would take me and my brother on the field with all the guys."

Billy Wagner pitched for 16 years in the majors and concluded his career as a seven-time all-star with 422 saves, which included a record 225 for the Astros from 1995-2003.

But even with one of the best relievers in his corner, Will wanted a bat in his hands.

"I actually hated pitching and once I got older, I wanted to become a hitter," Will Wagner said. "My dad was a pitcher, but he knows everything about hitting. He spent so many years with big league hitters so I learned about hitting from him.

"I wasn't scared to pitch, I just always liked having a bat in my hands and impacting the game from an offensive side instead of the defensive side. I've always loved swinging the bat. I remember watching so many hitters when my dad was playing and I thought, 'I want to be a hitter."

Billy Wagner coached Will in high school at Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he is still the head baseball coach today.

Will Wagner went on to play college baseball at Liberty, which was the lone school to offer him a college scholarship.

He hit .333 with seven home runs and 52 RBI as a senior, opening the door for the MLB draft.

"My dad has always been there for me," Will Wagner said. "He was there for me as my high school coach and my travel ball coach. That all helped me a lot."

Will Wagner's minor league career has been nothing short of impressive since joining the Fayetteville Woodpeckers in August 2021.

He hit .299 with two home runs and 14 RBI in his first minor league season and began the 2022 season with the Asheville Tourists.

Will played 45 games at the High-A level and was promoted to the Hooks on June 6.

Two weeks into his Double-A career, Will hit a memorable two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning, providing the difference in a 4-2 win against the Springfield Cardinals on Father's Day.

"It shocked me," Will Wagner said. "I was kind of surprised because I wasn't as hot, but I was still hitting well and it was special. We've been working a lot on my swing and we made some adjustments. It paid off."

Will said he remains in contact with his father everyday, especially before and after games. Win or lose, he knows he's getting a phone call or text from dad.

"He texts me before every game to tell me good luck and then it's a phone or text after the game telling me what he saw from the game," Will Wagner said. "We talk everyday."

Will has split time between second and third base for the Hooks. In 90 minor league games, Will is hitting .270 with seven home runs and 43 RBI.

"He's been great for us and he's been playing great defense," Hooks manager Gregorio Petit said. "He's been hitting the ball hard and unfortunately at the wrong people sometimes. It's only a matter of time before he starts getting some love from the game.

"I'm pretty sure his dad is proud of him — I know we are," Petit added. "Hopefully one day I will be going through the same thing with my kids. I wish him the best and I'm looking forward to seeing him get even better. Hopefully he has a shot to make it to the big leagues."

Will said he hopes to create his own legacy but doesn't mind when people refer to him as 'Billy Wagner's son.'

In fact, he welcomes it with open arms.

"Sometimes people talk about my dad being a big leaguer before me, but it doesn't affect me," Will Wagner said. "I know what my dad has done for me and how he's helped me get through the minor leagues. He's the reason I have a stronger mental approach to everything."

Rey Castillo is a sports reporter for the Caller-Times and a graduate of Texas A&M-Kingsville. He may be reached at rey.castillo@caller.com or on Twitter @reycastillo361

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Hooks' Will Wagner follows father's footsteps in Astros organization