Carson Williams

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #1 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/Medium.
  
  Track Record: Williams didn’t play in a lot of showcases during his high school career at Torrey Pines in San Diego, but he impressed scouts with his big arm, even if he made it clear to everyone that he preferred hitting to pitching. He made swing improvements as a senior, which helped him use his lower half better and convinced scouts to shelve the idea of getting him back on the mound. Williams’ power jumped significantly and helped him vault from third- or fourth-round consideration into the back of the first round in 2021, where the Rays drafted him 28th overall. Williams has shown rare power for a shortstop throughout his pro career. Since the 2022 season began, his 62 home runs are the most among minor league shortstops. That includes a 20-homer, 33-steal performance for Double-A Montgomery as a 21-year-old in 2024.
  
  Scouting Report: Williams has moved relatively quickly up the minor league ladder, but at the plate he is still learning how to get his pitch and adjust depending on a pitcher’s approach. His two-strike approach is rudimentary at this point, but his bat speed and plus power make pitchers pay for any mistakes. Williams’ exceptional footwork is the key to his plus defense. He reads the ball off the bat, and finds ways to avoid in-between hops. He gets into the right position to turn tough plays into routine ones, and his internal clock helps him play under control. He knows when he needs to hurry or when he can slow down and get set. Williams’ hands are fine, but it’s the footwork combined with his plus-plus arm that allow him to make plays many shortstops can’t even consider. Much like the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, he makes hard plays in the hole because he can get plenty into off-balance throws. Williams is a reliable defender. He made nine errors all season in 2024, and his .979 fielding percentage was fourth among minor league shortstops.
  
  The Future: The Rays often emphasize versatility in their prospects, asking them to bounce around the field, but Williams notably has never played a game at a position other than shortstop. That could change in 2025 as he heads to Triple-A Durham, but any other position he plays will only be to make him viable as a short-term fill-in. Shortstop is his long-term home. His defense is big-league ready right now, but his bat may need 500 plate appearances at Triple-A to add some final polish. Williams should be the Rays’ everyday shortstop for years to come. His combination of defense, power and athleticism gives him all-star upside. It wouldn’t be a surprise if his hitting doesn’t fully blossom later in the 2020s, but his glove will make him a valuable regular, even if he starts out in the majors as a lower-average power hitter whose hitting eventually catches up to the rest of his skills.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Field: 70 | Arm: 70.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #2 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 60/High
  
  Track Record: It seems hard to believe now, but at San Diego’s Torrey Pines High Williams was viewed as a pitcher who also played shortstop for most of his career. He added muscle as a senior and began to show newfound power, which convinced the Rays to draft him 28th overall and spend $2.35 million to buy him out of his California commitment. He led Low-A Charleston to a Carolina League title in 2022 and followed it up by leading the High-A South Atlantic League with 48 extra-base hits while finishing second with 23 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: Williams is one of the better defensive shortstops in the minor leagues thanks largely to his plus-plus arm. He’s a smooth, gliding fielder with fluid actions, above-average lateral range and a quick transfer, but his ability to make strong and accurate throws without having to set his feet or build momentum allows him to make plays other shortstops don’t even attempt. He’s an above-average runner. At the plate, Williams can carry a team when he’s locked in, but he struggles to maintain his timing. He uses a significant leg lift at the start of his swing that sometimes gets him out of sync. He will have stretches where he is an easy out, and others where his power plays. He can clear batter’s eyes in center field and is comfortable driving the ball to right field as well.
  
  The Future: Depending on how Wander Franco’s legal issues are resolved, Williams has the glove and power to give him a chance to be the Rays’ shortstop of the not-too-distant future. His offensive game somewhat resembles that of Dansby Swanson as a shortstop who doesn’t always hit for average but gets on base at a solid clip and hits for enough power to make an impact. He’s ready for Double-A Montgomery.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 65 | Arm: 70
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #4 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Heading into his senior year of high school, Williams was seen as a smooth defensive shortstop, but one who seemed more interesting as a pitcher. After gaining 10-15 pounds of good weight, his power developed, and he turned into one of the best prep shortstops in a loaded 2021 draft class. Williams was the star for Low-A Charleston's Carolina League champions in 2022. He finished second in the league with 19 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: There was little question about Williams' defense, but his bat has proved better than expected. He showed plus power all year in 2022, and when he was locked in, he strung together solid at-bats. Williams doesn't chase pitches at an unusual rate, but he goes through stretches where he will swing and miss at hittable pitches in the strike zone. His 32% strikeout rate will have to improve as he gains more experience. Williams' power is primarily to his pull side, but he's also shown he's comfortable driving the ball out to straightaway center field. He regularly cleared tall batting eyes in Carolina League games. Williams' defense has lived up to expectations. His plus-plus arm is the best in the organization and is extremely accurate. He had just three throwing errors all season. He's a bigger, rangy shortstop who relies on his arm, soft hands and his length. Williams' first-step quickness is only average, but the total package is that of a plus defensive shortstop. The Rays move most of their infielders around, but Williams has played only shortstop.
  
  The Future: When he heads to High-A Bowling Green in 2023, Williams will need to work on making more consistent contact, but he has the makings of being a Willy Adames-type physical shortstop who provides power and defense.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Run: 55. Field: 60. Arm: 70
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #7 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Williams was seen as a promising pitcher who also played shortstop for much of his high school career, but he began to make people pay attention to his bat when he hit over .400 at the World Wood Bat Association World Championships in Jupiter, Fla. He then was one of the best performers in California all spring, batting hit .506 as a high school senior for Torrey Pines (Calif.) High against top-notch competition in San Diego County. The Rays drafted him 28th overall and signed him for $2,347,500 to forgo a California commitment. Williams had a solid Florida Complex League debut, albeit in limited at-bats because of the Rays’ crowded FCL roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Williams has developed into a well-rounded shortstop. There are some scouts skeptical about how adjustable his hands are in his swing, but he has a simple setup, load and swing and he’s shown an advanced understanding of how to work counts. He’s a hitter first, but he also has the strength and pop in his bat to hit 18-20 home runs down the road. He’s shown he is as comfortable driving the ball to the right-center power alley as he is yanking it down the line. Defensively, Williams has above-average hands, solid body control and a plus arm—his fastball sat 92-95 mph as a pitcher. He sometimes relies on his arm a little too much, and his footwork and first-step quickness will need to be a point of emphasis.
  
  The Future: The Rays have multiple shortstops ready to head to Low-A Charleston, led by Williams and Willy Vasquez. Williams has the steady heartbeat, solid internal clock and plus arm to stick at short long term, and his bat should handle a slide to third if needed.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #40 prospect in 2021 draft
  Williams won MVP of the WWBA Championships last fall and entered the spring as one of the top two-way players in the class. Most teams initially preferred him as a pitcher, but he added 10-15 pounds and began showing significantly increased power this spring to become one of the draft’s biggest risers as a position player. Williams now flashes above-average-to-plus raw power and shows the ability to get to it in games. He hit towering home runs that scraped the top of the trees beyond the left-field fence at his home stadium this spring, and even balls he mis-hit went out to his pull side. He has the ability to drive balls the other way for extra-base hits and frequently delivers in clutch situations. While Williams’ performance was loud, evaluators are divided on how much he will hit as a pro. Some see a potentially above-average hitter with plus power, but others are skeptical and see a grooved swing without a lot of adjustability and think he’ll struggle with a wood bat. Defensively, Williams is a good athlete with a polished glove and the plus arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield. He has a chance to stick at shortstop and be an average defender, but most project him to move to third base as he gets bigger. Williams sits 92-95 mph on the mound and has a short, biting slider that gets swings and misses to give him a fallback as a pitcher if his bat stalls. He is committed to Cal and will require a sizable bonus to sign.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #11 prospect in 2025
• Ranked Baseball America's #7 prospect in 2024
• Ranked Baseball America's #22 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #52 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Heading into his senior year of high school, Williams was seen as a smooth defensive shortstop, but one who seemed more interesting as a pitcher. After gaining 10-15 pounds of good weight, his power developed, and he turned into one of the best prep shortstops in a loaded 2021 draft class. Williams was the star for Low-A Charleston's Carolina League champions in 2022. He finished second in the league with 19 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: There was little question about Williams' defense, but his bat has proved better than expected. He showed plus power all year in 2022, and when he was locked in, he strung together solid at-bats. Williams doesn't chase pitches at an unusual rate, but he goes through stretches where he will swing and miss at hittable pitches in the strike zone. His 32% strikeout rate will have to improve as he gains more experience. Williams' power is primarily to his pull side, but he's also shown he's comfortable driving the ball out to straightaway center field. He regularly cleared tall batting eyes in Carolina League games. Williams' defense has lived up to expectations. His plus-plus arm is the best in the organization and is extremely accurate. He had just three throwing errors all season. He's a bigger, rangy shortstop who relies on his arm, soft hands and his length. Williams' first-step quickness is only average, but the total package is that of a plus defensive shortstop. The Rays move most of their infielders around, but Williams has played only shortstop.
  
  The Future: When he heads to High-A Bowling Green in 2023, Williams will need to work on making more consistent contact, but he has the makings of being a Willy Adames-type physical shortstop who provides power and defense.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Run: 55. Field: 60. Arm: 70
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Heading into his senior year of high school, Williams was seen as a smooth defensive shortstop, but one who seemed more interesting as a pitcher. After gaining 10-15 pounds of good weight, his power developed, and he turned into one of the best prep shortstops in a loaded 2021 draft class. Williams was the star for Low-A Charleston's Carolina League champions in 2022. He finished second in the league with 19 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: There was little question about Williams' defense, but his bat has proved better than expected. He showed plus power all year in 2022, and when he was locked in, he strung together solid at-bats. Williams doesn't chase pitches at an unusual rate, but he goes through stretches where he will swing and miss at hittable pitches in the strike zone. His 32% strikeout rate will have to improve as he gains more experience. Williams' power is primarily to his pull side, but he's also shown he's comfortable driving the ball out to straightaway center field. He regularly cleared tall batting eyes in Carolina League games. Williams' defense has lived up to expectations. His plus-plus arm is the best in the organization and is extremely accurate. He had just three throwing errors all season. He's a bigger, rangy shortstop who relies on his arm, soft hands and his length. Williams' first-step quickness is only average, but the total package is that of a plus defensive shortstop. The Rays move most of their infielders around, but Williams has played only shortstop.
  
  The Future: When he heads to High-A Bowling Green in 2023, Williams will need to work on making more consistent contact, but he has the makings of being a Willy Adames-type physical shortstop who provides power and defense.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 60. Run: 55. Field: 60. Arm: 70
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: For much of Williams&#39 high school career, he was seen as a promising pitcher who also played shortstop. But Williams began to make people pay attention to his bat when he hit over .400 at the World Wood Bat Association World Championships in Jupiter, Fla., before his senior season. He then was one of the best performers in California all spring. He hit .506 as a high school senior against top-notch competition. He had a solid Florida Complex League debut, but in very limited at-bats because of the Rays&#39 very crowded FCL roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Williams has developed into a well-rounded shortstop. There are some scouts skeptical about how adjustable his hands are in his swing, but he has a simple setup, load and swing and he&#39s shown an advanced understanding of how to work counts. He&#39s a hitter first, but he also has the strength and pop in his bat to hit 18-20 home runs down the road. He&#39s shown he is as comfortable driving the ball to the right center power alley as he is yanking it down the line. Defensively, Williams has above-average hands, solid body control and a plus arm—he was 92-95 mph as a pitcher. He sometimes relies on his arm a little too much, and his footwork and first step quickness will need to be a point of emphasis.
  
  The Future: The Rays have multiple shortstops ready to head to Low-A Charleston, led by Williams and Willy Vasquez. Williams has the steady heartbeat, solid internal clock and plus arm to stick at short long term, and his bat should handle a slide to third if needed.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Williams was seen as a promising pitcher who also played shortstop for much of his high school career, but he began to make people pay attention to his bat when he hit over .400 at the World Wood Bat Association World Championships in Jupiter, Fla. He then was one of the best performers in California all spring, batting hit .506 as a high school senior for Torrey Pines (Calif.) High against top-notch competition in San Diego County. The Rays drafted him 28th overall and signed him for $2,347,500 to forgo a California commitment. Williams had a solid Florida Complex League debut, albeit in limited at-bats because of the Rays’ crowded FCL roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Williams has developed into a well-rounded shortstop. There are some scouts skeptical about how adjustable his hands are in his swing, but he has a simple setup, load and swing and he’s shown an advanced understanding of how to work counts. He’s a hitter first, but he also has the strength and pop in his bat to hit 18-20 home runs down the road. He’s shown he is as comfortable driving the ball to the right-center power alley as he is yanking it down the line. Defensively, Williams has above-average hands, solid body control and a plus arm—his fastball sat 92-95 mph as a pitcher. He sometimes relies on his arm a little too much, and his footwork and first-step quickness will need to be a point of emphasis.
  
  The Future: The Rays have multiple shortstops ready to head to Low-A Charleston, led by Williams and Willy Vasquez. Williams has the steady heartbeat, solid internal clock and plus arm to stick at short long term, and his bat should handle a slide to third if needed.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Williams won MVP of the WWBA Championships last fall and entered the spring as one of the top two-way players in the class. Most teams initially preferred him as a pitcher, but he added 10-15 pounds and began showing significantly increased power this spring to become one of the draft's biggest risers as a position player. Williams now flashes above-average-to-plus raw power and shows the ability to get to it in games. He hit towering home runs that scraped the top of the trees beyond the left-field fence at his home stadium this spring, and even balls he mis-hit went out to his pull side. He has the ability to drive balls the other way for extra-base hits and frequently delivers in clutch situations. While Williams' performance was loud, evaluators are divided on how much he will hit as a pro. Some see a potentially above-average hitter with plus power, but others are skeptical and see a grooved swing without a lot of adjustability and think he'll struggle with a wood bat. Defensively, Williams is a good athlete with a polished glove and the plus arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield. He has a chance to stick at shortstop and be an average defender, but most project him to move to third base as he gets bigger. Williams sits 92-95 mph on the mound and has a short, biting slider that gets swings and misses to give him a fallback as a pitcher if his bat stalls.