TAMPA, Fla. – The journey to the major leagues is complete, and now the task for rookie shortstop Carson Williams of the Tampa Bay Rays, and others in the class of 2025, is to remain at the highest level in the game. The hype is all-around and ever-present. When Williams was selected as the initial pick of Tampa Bay, and the 28th overall, in the 2021 draft, hysteria commenced. Out of San Diego, the 22-year-old was hailed as the number seven prospect overall by Baseball America before the 2024 season. Williams was also cited as the best defensive infielder in the Tampa Bay organization and possesses the best defensive arm. That complemented potential with power at the plate and speed on the bases. Williams is part of the class of 2025, and several rookies could dominate the game for years to come. To be part of this group of emerging stars, Williams must shake the dark cloud of striking out and be mired in the low to mid .200s in batting average. Consider, Dylan Crews of Washington (1st round, 2nd overall in 2023), Jacob Wilson of the A’s (1st round, 6th overall in 2023), Roman Anthony of Boston (2nd round, 2022), Colson Montgomery of the White Sox (1st round 22nd overall in 2021), Jacob Misiorwski of Milwaukee (2nd round 2022), and Nick Kurtz of the A’s (1sr round, 4th overall in 2024). Climbing the Rays’ minor league ladder, Williams started the 2025 season at AAA Durham and struggled. Apparently, that was of little consequence because Tampa Bay decision-makers kept their collective eye on what they consider an emerging force in the game. That became apparent when incumbent shortstop Taylor Walls underwent season-ending surgery in early August for a sports hernia and was shut down, Then, Ha-Seong Kim, who signed a 2-year, $29 million deal with the Rays during this past off-season, was claimed on waivers by Atlanta on Sept. 1. That opened the door for Williams, and his production and offensive contribution have been marginal. Coming into the second game of a four-game set with Toronto at home in mid-September, Williams was batting .156 (10-64 in 21 games) but struck out 27 times. Striking out with alarming frequency is a dimension of Williams’ game, and Tampa Bay decision-makers plan to keep a close watch. Over three seasons in the Rays’ minor league system, Williams displayed a penchant for striking out that was alarming. In 465 games, Williams made 1,748 plate appearances and struck out 637 times. That’s an average of 2.4 Ks per game. While concerning, Williams would rather move into a more comfortable environment. His reference to the Call to the Show on Aug. 22 was positive and engaging. “Coming to the majors, it’s all about winning,” Williams said prior to a game Sept. 16 at home against Toronto. “It’s trying to produce and to get wins for the organization. The game is faster up here, and they play the right way.” That’s all well and good and Williams and Rays manager Kevin Cash do keep their cards close to the vest. Neither would reveal Williams’ off-season charge from the organization nor the criteria for improvement on his radar screen. What remains glaring is Williams’ inability to understand the science and demands of hitting. Most notably, his ability to strike out with frightening regularity and has plagued the 6-3, 195-pounder since day one of his professional career. Without official organization confirmation, Williams should address major issues of pitch recognition and the need to make consistent contact at the plate. From the organization's vantage, comments are reserved. “(Williams) is a young player who is incredibly talented,” Cash said before the Rays engaged Toronto on Sept. 16. “We are very excited about him, and he is learning a great deal throughout the last month that he’s been here. He will continue to learn about himself. He’s played in some pretty special atmospheres like Wrigley Field, and you will not beat that. We’ll be in Toronto at the end of the year, and that’s big-league baseball. (The Blue Jays) are playing for a lot right now. The more a young player can experience that and be a part of that, it will only help them get better.” At this point, Williams’ defensive ability remains the core of his contribution. What he does in the Rays’ spring camp at Port Charlotte next February and beyond remains the “x” factor. Given the Rays’ impatience with Kim and the organization’s penchant for placing Tristian Gray at any infield position, Williams must address the strikeout scenario. After all, major league players are no longer one-dimensional, and Williams’ offense must kick into high gear.
