Chris Williams

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #213 prospect in 2018 draft
  A 31st-round pick of the Rays in 2017, Williams would have been drafted in the first five rounds had he not injured his shoulder on a pickoff attempt late in the season--an injury that required surgery in the offseason. Williams opened this season still less than 100 percent, and for precautionary reasons, Clemson has had him playing primarily first base. When healthy, Williams showed solid-average arm strength behind the plate, throwing out 50 percent of basestealers; his defensive game needs polish, but he profiles as an offensively geared catcher. His draft stock this year will depend on how teams view the medical reports on his right shoulder and whether they believe he'll be able to stick at catcher long-term. At the plate, Williams has been one of the best power hitters in the Atlantic Coast Conference since transferring from Golden West (Calif.) JC prior to his sophomore year. The righthanded hitter possesses plus pull power and has hit 14 home runs in back-to-back seasons, but his pull-heavy approach leads to swing-and-miss issues and makes him a below-average hitter. Williams' power will get him drafted, but he'll be a much more attractive option if teams believe he can catch.
• Ranked #118 prospect in 2017 draft
  Williams attended Golden West (Calif.) JC after a prep career in Garden Grove, just south of Anaheim. The physical 6-foot-1, 220-pounder transferred to Clemson as a sophomore and played both corner infield spots as well as backing up Chris Okey (a Reds second-rounder) in 2016 before succeeding Okey as the everyday backstop in 2017. A left hand injury slowed Williams early, but he got hot in the middle of the season and had tied celebrated teammate Seth Beer with 14 homers. Williams has plus pull power and solid-average arm strength, helping him throw out 50 percent of basestealers. His defensive game needs polish, and pitchers can exploit his pull-heavy offensive approach with spin, making him a below-average hitter. The lack of college catching available and his power and performance could push him up draft boards.