Super Bowl-winning QB Wilson to visit Rangers' camp

ARLINGTON -- Rangers manager Ron Washington loves champions so he is certainly looking forward to Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson coming to Spring Training.

The Rangers took Wilson in the Rule 5 Draft in December and he is planning to come to Spring Training at some point to work out with the team, most likely when the Minor Leaguers report in March. Wilson played second base in the Rockies organization in 2010-11 before devoting himself full-time to football.

"The guy has had a lot of success and he has a championship attitude," Washington said. "We're going to give him a chance to talk to our young kids and see what happens. Maybe [shortstop Elvis Andrus] and some of those young guys can hang with him and see what he has to offer."

The Rangers don't expect Wilson to give up football to play baseball or to attempt to become a two-sport player like Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders. They just like the idea of Wilson being in camp and being around their players, even if all he does is take batting practice and field a few ground balls. But if Wilson wants to get seriously better with the glove, there is a defensive expert more than willing to work with him.

"Of course," Washington said. "If he wants to learn what defense is all about, I will be more than happy to work with him. I don't know anything about his baseball skills but we certainly like his attitude. We want our players to see his work ethic on a baseball field. That could take you a long way."

The Rockies drafted Wilson in the fourth round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. He has played in 93 Minor League games with a .229 batting average, a .354 on-base percentage and a .356 slugging percentage. He also stole 19 bases.