Carson Williams focused on getting better on path to Rays
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (BVM) – Carson Williams was a San Diego area kid growing up, involved in almost everything. Football, basketball, soccer, surfing, fishing, and of course, baseball.
“Baseball was the one sport that was left standing,” Williams said. “It kind of just happened naturally.”
Now the Torrey Pines, California, native looks to play a big part in the future of the Tampa Bay Rays organization.
From the same game here's some video of Rays SS Carson Williams, who has been rising since the moment he signed.
Like Mayer, a SoCal prep SS w/some 2021 spring swings at the front. Unlike Mayer, Williams is notably bigger/stronger and the swing has morphed a bit in pro ball. pic.twitter.com/55VZKprtfJ
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) May 23, 2023
Williams, a former first-round pick, is the No. 57 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline.
The 19-year-old shortstop is in the midst of a big season for the Rays’ High-A affiliate, the Bowling Green Hot Rods. He is getting on base at a .366 clip while also slugging .500 thus far in 2023. Williams also brings it on the defensive side of the ball, winning a Minor League Gold Glove in his first year of pro ball last season.
Carson Williams 🔥
The No. 3 @RaysBaseball prospect cranks his fourth dinger in four games for the @BGHotRods. pic.twitter.com/TtbHkfq3Fg
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 10, 2023
He was a star at Torrey Pines High School hitting .495 with 11 home runs in 97 at-bats as a senior. Williams also finished his prep career with a 1.24 ERA on the bump, where he could touch the mid-90s with his fastball.
His senior year cemented his status as a high draft pick, but even before that, his mindset has always been to get to the highest level.
“I kind of always knew I was going to play professional baseball,” Williams said. “I never thought of a backup route. Just baseball.”
The Rays then used the 28th selection in the 2021 MLB Draft on Williams, but unfortunately, he did not get to see it live. The broadcast that he was watching was on a commercial break when he was selected.
“My whole family was freaking out,” Williams joked.
Williams is now multiple years into his minor league career and has been everything the Rays hoped for and more. But he still craves the moon.
“I’m the type of person that it’s never enough,” Williams said. “I’m the type of person that wants to just keep working. I’m never high enough on a prospect board. I never have a high enough batting average. For me, it’s always about getting better.”
He has been able to show off his work ethic in his first couple of seasons in the minor leagues, a place where a certain grit is needed to thrive. Williams has shown he has that so far.
No. 3 @RaysBaseball prospect Carson Williams gets his third long ball in just as many games for @BGHotRods: pic.twitter.com/M0ftKg4Zg2
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 10, 2023
“It’s a grind,” Williams said. “I have a bunch of stuff to work on mentally and physically and so does everyone else that is down here. Everybody is trying to get to the big leagues. You have to show your stuff, compete and produce. That’s what it’s all about.”
Many guys in Williams’ shoes would have their main goal set to make it to the major leagues, but he sets his goals based on what he can do in the present. Whether that is improving his pitch selection or pitch recognition, or just continuing to stay healthy, Williams will continue to make an impact in Bowling Green, and soon, St. Petersburg.
