In Wilson’s 40th game, the shortstop homered twice in a 4-for-5 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That put his batting average at an eye-popping .363 in an era when only six other players hit at least .300 this season. Wilson came back from a midseason forearm fracture to catch Judge in the batting title race on Sept. 10 at .319 apiece before Judge ended the season on a tear.

With his slick fielding, Wilson was a runaway AL Rookie of the Year favorite until the explosion of A’s teammate Nick Kurtz, who Wilson honors by wearing “The Big Amish” T-shirt for Kurtz’s moniker.

Wilson became the first All-Star starting rookie shortstop since 1960. For the A’s, he was the first starting All-Star shortstop since Bert Campaneris in 1974 and the youngest All-Star starter since Vida Blue in 1971. No rookie shortstop had been ever voted to start by fans in All-Star Game history.

“That entire week was crazy, and I enjoyed every bit of it,” Wilson said of All-Star festivities in Atlanta.

“The All-Star Game was the most important (achievement) to me. Being able to be named a starter by fans versus all the other great shortstops we have in this league, that is something that I’ll definitely take pride in for the rest of my career. Not a lot of words can describe it. It was just something that meant so much to me.”

Scott McGough, a 35-year-old pitcher, became a recent fan and A’s clubhouse neighbor of Wilson but with a longtime connection.

The Pittsburgh-area native grew up watching Jacob’s father, Jack, become an All-Star and play nine seasons for the Pirates, who used the A’s Sept. 19 visit to re-enact a first pitch that 4-year-old Jacob threw to Jack in 2006.

“Jacob’s an unbelievable talent,” McGough said. “I looked up to his dad a lot, and he reminds me a lot of him. Just a great worker, a grinder. He never gives up on an at bat. He always finds a hole. He hits it anywhere on the field, which is an incredible skill to have. He’s just a special talent.

“I see the maturity at a young age, which is an impressive skill. He’s everything you want in a good, young player.”