Henry Williams

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #15 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Padres scouted Williams at Darien (Conn.) High and kept tabs on him as he made his way to Duke. He pitched just 37.2 innings in his college career before having Tommy John surgery, but the Padres saw enough in that limited stint to draft him in the third round, No. 91 overall, and sign him for an above-slot $800,000 signing bonus. Williams continued rehabbing after being selected and did not pitch in live games, but he flew out to the Padres' complex in Arizona every other weekend to throw bullpens while continuing to work toward his degree at Duke.
  
  Scouting Report: Before his elbow reconstruction, Williams sat 94-98 mph with a high-spin fastball that played up with carry at the top of the strike zone. His three-pitch mix also includes a wipeout slider that projects as a plus pitch and a fading, mid-80s changeup. Athletic on the mound, Williams still has room on his lean frame to get stronger and add more velocity as he moves further away from surgery. He throws strikes with above-average control and has solid command of all of his pitches. Williams's build, arsenal and control are that of a no-doubt starter, but if something stalls in his rehab, his stuff would also be rather loud in a relief role.
  
  The Future: Williams is expected to be ready for spring training and could push for a spot in Low-A Lake Elsinore's rotation to start the year. He could move quickly up the organizational depth chart if his pre-injury form.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 55

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Padres scouted Williams at Darien (Conn.) High and kept tabs on him as he made his way to Duke. He pitched just 37.2 innings in his college career before having Tommy John surgery, but the Padres saw enough in that limited stint to draft him in the third round, No. 91 overall, and sign him for an above-slot $800,000 signing bonus. Williams continued rehabbing after being selected and did not pitch in live games, but he flew out to the Padres' complex in Arizona every other weekend to throw bullpens while continuing to work toward his degree at Duke.
  
  Scouting Report: Before his elbow reconstruction, Williams sat 94-98 mph with a high-spin fastball that played up with carry at the top of the strike zone. His three-pitch mix also includes a wipeout slider that projects as a plus pitch and a fading, mid-80s changeup. Athletic on the mound, Williams still has room on his lean frame to get stronger and add more velocity as he moves further away from surgery. He throws strikes with above-average control and has solid command of all of his pitches. Williams's build, arsenal and control are that of a no-doubt starter, but if something stalls in his rehab, his stuff would also be rather loud in a relief role.
  
  The Future: Williams is expected to be ready for spring training and could push for a spot in Low-A Lake Elsinore's rotation to start the year. He could move quickly up the organizational depth chart if his pre-injury form.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 55
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Padres scouted Williams at Darien (Conn.) High and kept tabs on him as he made his way to Duke. He pitched just 37.2 innings in his college career before having Tommy John surgery, but the Padres saw enough in that limited stint to draft him in the third round, No. 91 overall, and sign him for an above-slot $800,000 signing bonus. Williams continued rehabbing after being selected and did not pitch in live games, but he flew out to the Padres' complex in Arizona every other weekend to throw bullpens while continuing to work toward his degree at Duke.
  
  Scouting Report: Before his elbow reconstruction, Williams sat 94-98 mph with a high-spin fastball that played up with carry at the top of the strike zone. His three-pitch mix also includes a wipeout slider that projects as a plus pitch and a fading, mid-80s changeup. Athletic on the mound, Williams still has room on his lean frame to get stronger and add more velocity as he moves further away from surgery. He throws strikes with above-average control and has solid command of all of his pitches. Williams's build, arsenal and control are that of a no-doubt starter, but if something stalls in his rehab, his stuff would also be rather loud in a relief role.
  
  The Future: Williams is expected to be ready for spring training and could push for a spot in Low-A Lake Elsinore's rotation to start the year. He could move quickly up the organizational depth chart if his pre-injury form.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 55
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  August Update: An athletic righthander with a still-projectable, 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame, Williams was a candidate to make a jump this spring. He never got that chance after having Tommy John surgery in December of 2021, which ended his 2022 season before it started. When healthy, Williams has shown a solid three-pitch mix including a fastball in the low 90s, a low-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup with good command. He&#39ll have just 37.2 collegiate innings under his belt on draft day, but scouts will have to decide where he fits in the draft based on that small sample and his most recent looks during fall ball. At the time, Williams ran his fastball up to 95 mph with a slider that flashed plus and the athleticism and frame to project more velocity in the future.