The switch-hitting Wilkerson was the American Association‘s All-Star shortstop in 1983, hitting .312 at Oklahoma City, and started at shortstop for the Texas Rangers in 1984-85. Not blessed with great power or speed, Wilkerson had trouble finding his niche, before settling in as a utility player from 1986 until the end of his career.
After hitting a career-high .293 in 1988, he was part of the eight-player trade that sent Mitch Williams to the Chicago Cubs for Rafael Palmeiro and Jamie Moyer. Wilkerson hit just .230 for the Cubs in his two seasons there, and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 1991 campaign.
