Information suggests the Tampa Bay Rays are planning to promote Carson Williams, their highly regarded shortstop prospect from their minor-league system. While the team has not made an official statement, reports have surfaced from sources like Jeff Passan of ESPN and Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com.
Williams, age 22, holds the No. 47 spot in MLB.com’s prospect rankings and was selected by the Rays in the first round (No. 28 overall) of the 2021 draft out of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego. During the current season with Triple-A Durham, Williams posted a slash line of .213/.318/.447, hitting 23 home runs, driving in 55 runs, and stealing 23 bases over 451 plate appearances.
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During the 2023 season, he experienced quick promotions, advancing from high Single-A to Double-A and then to Triple-A, where Durham was competing for the International League championship. After struggling in a brief four-game stint (hitting .077 with a .354 OPS in 15 plate appearances), Williams spent the entire 2024 season with Double-A Montgomery, following a more typical developmental path.
His high strikeout rate, totaling 154 strikeouts (34.2%) this season, presents a significant concern. However, Rays shortstops, primarily Taylor Walls and Ha-Seong Kim, have collectively hit .213 with a .603 OPS and six home runs, ranking third-worst in MLB for that position in those statistical categories. Therefore, Williams has the potential to improve the team’s performance in that position. Additionally, he is known for his defensive skills at shortstop, earning a minor-league Gold Glove award in 2022.
With a record of 61-66, the Rays are currently outside of playoff contention, positioned fourth in the AL East and trailing the league’s third wild-card spot by 6.5 games. Nevertheless, Williams could play a role in the postseason push, as the team faces upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox on their remaining schedule.
According to MLB.com, Williams joins a group of highly-rated minor-league prospects who are being called up towards the end of the MLB season, including Owen Caissie of the Cubs, Nolan McLean of the Mets, and Samuel Basallo of the Orioles. Bubba Chandler of the Pirates and Jhostynxon Garcia of the Red Sox are also reportedly heading to the major leagues.
