Justin Williams

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #15 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Williams' path to the majors has been long and winding. A D-Backs draftee, Williams was traded the next year to the Rays in a swap that brought Jeremy Hellickson to Arizona. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Rays. He was then dealt to the Cardinals for Tommy Pham at the trade deadline. A broken hand suffered punching a TV and hamstring injuries slowed him in 2019, but he returned to the majors briefly in September 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williams hits the ball very hard. He just struggles to hit the ball very hard in the air. With his level swing, he hits stinging singles and doubles rather than home runs. Williams has aboveaverage raw power. He will take a walk and he does a solid job of recognizing spin. He puts in good at-bats against lefthanders. A fringe-average runner, Williams' plus arm is an asset in right field, but he has struggled with reads and when to lay out and when to pull up, which is why he's considered a fringe-average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williams' ties a record with this Prospect Handbook appearance--he's been in eight books since 2014. He's out of options and will head to spring training looking to add a much-needed lefty bat to the very righthanded Cardinals' lineup.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #20 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The D-backs drafted Williams 52nd overall in 2013 and traded him to the Rays one year later in the deal for Jeremy Hellickson. The Rays sent him to the Cardinals as one of three prospects for in exchange for Tommy Pham at the 2018 trade deadline. Williams' first full season in the Cardinals organization was limited to 53 games by injuries. He missed the start of the season after punching a television, then went on the injured list twice with hamstring injuries during the year. He still managed to finish with a 1.045 OPS in 36 games at Triple-A Memphis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williams intrigues as a natural athlete with above-average raw power from the left side. He manages the strike zone and recognizes pitches, but his segmented swing results in too many ground balls. At his best he drives the ball to all fields and can elevate for home runs. Williams is a fringe-average runner whose reads and effort waver in the outfield. His best position is right field where he can utilize his plus, accurate arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williams has a chance to see the majors in 2020. He'll break in as a reserve.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #14 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A second-round pick by the D-backs in 2013, Williams was traded to the Rays in the Jeremy Hellickson deal in 2014. He made his major league debut with Tampa Bay last year before the Rays traded him and two others to the Cardinals for Tommy Pham at the trade deadline.
  
  Scouting Report: Williams' lefthanded power and athleticism intrigue, but he's still very raw. He takes defensive, segmented swings, and the Cardinals see him as a swing-change candidate. He flashes plus raw power, and the hope is a swing change can unlock that in games. Williams' jumps and instincts come and go in right field, but he works hard and has the plus arm for the position. He's a fringe-average runner so he's mostly limited to the corners, although he can cover center in a pinch.
  
  The Future: The Cardinals feel they got a fourth outfielder at worst with Williams' lefthanded power and ability to move around the outfield. If he can successfully implement a swing change, he may be more.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #8 prospect in 2018
  The D-backs traded Williams to the Rays in the 2014 Jeremy Hellickson deal, and he's proven himself a potent hitter during his time in Tampa Bay's system. Williams spent all of the 2017 regular season in the Southern League, where he was tabbed the league's 16th-best prospect, despite battling minor injuries that led to him missing most of May. Despite his brief absence, Williams still finished among the league leaders in multiple offensive categories and was then called up to Triple-A Durham for the International League playoffs. Williams has a line-drive stroke and uses the entire field, which helped him finish fourth in the SL batting race in 2017. He manages the strike zone well and makes consistent contact, thanks to improving pitch recognition. He hits lots of ground balls but has made progress in lofting the ball more often. Sanchez showed his above-average raw power late in 2017, when he hit eight homers in August, including three in one game. Williams turns on inside pitches well but struggles to cover the outside part of the plate. He has made strides as a defensive right fielder, particularly with his first step and reading balls off the bat. He's a fringe-average runner with solid-average arm strength featuring good accuracy and carry. Williams is another potential solid piece to the Rays' youth movement at the major league level. Whether or not he continues to tap into his power will determine whether he can become a starting corner outfielder in the big leagues. Triple-A Durham awaits in 2018.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #9 prospect in 2017
  The Diamondbacks took a shot on Williams' exceptional raw power in 2013, selecting him 52nd overall and signing him for $1.05 million. The Rays sent Jeremy Hellickson to Arizona to acquire both Williams and Andrew Velazquez after the 2014 season. Williams held his own at low Class A in 2015, then broke out in the Australian Baseball League that winter. That success carried over to 2016, when Williams reached Double-A and hit .295/.318/.447 in 90 games at two stops. Williams is a natural lefthanded hitter with a compact stroke and a knack for barreling the ball. He's shown an aggressive, if not raw, approach and doesn't always wait for pitches that he can drive, but he makes as much hard contact as any Rays prospect. His batting-practice sessions encourage evaluators that he eventually will develop plus power in games. Evaluators credited improved timing for Williams' jump in batting average in 2016, noting that he was able to pull the ball more often. Defensively, he has the tools to be a capable corner outfielder. He is a near-average runner and has average arm strength. Williams' bat proved too potent for the high Class A Florida State League in 2016, and he showed power in a cameo at Double-A Montgomery, where he will begin 2017.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #17 prospect in 2016
  The Rays acquired Williams and Andrew Velazquez in a November 2014 trade for Jeremy Hellickson. In his first year in the organization, Williams made solid progress, reaching high Class A Charlotte. After a slow start in the cool low Class A Midwest League climate, Williams warmed up as the summer unfolded. He hit .330 across June and July, and earned a promotion to high Class A Charlotte. Williams has natural feel for hitting to go with exciting size and athleticism. He shows above-average raw power in batting practice, but has yet to learn how to use his power, and he's hit just 12 home runs in more than 1,000 career plate appearances. Some evaluators believe that he will eventually get to his power, though it may come later than the rest of his tools. Defensively, Williams played mostly right field in 2015. He has taken to the outfield after playing the infield as a prep, with an average arm that helped him to 13 assists, though he also committed seven errors. Williams will return to Charlotte in 2016, and his power must develop for him to fit the profile of a starting corner outfielder.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #14 prospect in 2015
  Williams led the Rookie-level Pioneer League in hitting (.386), ranked third in on-base percentage (.433) and eneded his time in Missoula with a 28-game hitting streak. In November, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Rays along with shortstop Andrew Velazquez to get Jeremy Hellickson. Williams makes solid contact to all fields with his strength, hand speed and excellent hand-eye coordination. With above-average raw power, he could hit more home runs if he can generate more loft, but he needs to learn to better handle quality offspeed stuff. A shortstop in high school, he lacks experience in left field, but his defense has steadily improved, in part as a result of work done with outfield coordinator Joel Youngblood during instructional league. He continues to build arm strength and should eventually have enough to handle right field. An assignment to low Class A Bowling Green is his most likely starting point in 2015.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #14 prospect in 2014
  The Diamondbacks kicked off the 2013 draft with a pair of advanced college pitchers--Braden Shipley (15th overall) and Aaron Blair (36th)--then in the second round went for a power bat in Williams. The Louisiana native was a shortstop in high school despite his physical frame. Converted to the outfield as a pro, Williams' inexperience in left field showed in his first year. He's a hard worker whom the organization believes will have the arm strength to handle right field once he improves his throwing technique. He had no trouble with the bat in his first year, showing power potential and the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Despite not turning 18 until late in the season, Williams was promoted twice in 2013, moving first to the Rookie-level Pioneer League and then to low Class A South Bend to finish the year. The ball jumps off his bat, which could lead to more over-the-fence power with experience. He's a below-average runner who runs a bit better underway. Since he's already seen the bright lights of South Bend, Williams may be challenged with a return assignment to the Midwest League.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #69 prospect in 2013 draft
  Williams is a man-child with huge raw power in his 6-foot-2, 215-pound body. He's been on the showcase scene for several years, and one scout said he thought Williams had a chance to be the first pick in the draft in this class when he first saw him three years ago. While he is still young for his class as a 17-year-old, he just hasn't developed yet as scouts had hoped. He has some of the biggest raw power in the class, with some scouts putting top-of-the-scale power grades on him. He has gotten into bad habits at the plate, though. He needs to keep his feet quieter and hit from a solid foundation to get to his power. Williams lacks a great feel for hitting but is strong enough to drive the ball to all parts of the park. He'll have to add polish to hit better pitching. He's athletic but lacks instincts to stay in the infield and likely will wind up in left field or first base. Williams' easy power will still earn him a high draft slot, and most of his value will stem from his bat.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #16 prospect in 2017
  Williams reached Double-A as a 20-year-old in 2016 for 39 games and returned to the SL this season, when he finished fourth with a .301 average and third with a .489 slugging percentage. An eight-home run outburst in August, which included a three-homer game on Aug. 30, pushed his total to a career-high 14. Williams doesn't swing and miss much and uses the whole field, which when combined with his line-drive stroke portends well for his ability to hit for a high average. Scouts question his impact power potential because he puts too many balls in play on the ground and struggles to cover the outer half of the plate, but he has learned to turn on the inside pitch when looking for it. A below-average runner with an average arm, Williams improved his outfield instincts and reads off the bat this season to now profile as a solid-average defensive right fielder.
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #19 prospect in 2016
  The Rays acquired Williams in the November 2014 Jeremy Hellickson trade, and the Louisiana prep product always makes a strong first impression. He's an imposing 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, and he swings athletically and powerfully but also smoothly. Williams' physicality, bat speed and resulting raw power help him fit the offensive profile as a corner outfielder. He made strides with his pitch recognition last winter playing in the Australian Baseball League and is learning how to hit for power without selling out or cheating in his swing. He has a feel for the barrel and doesn't give away at-bats, but he's still learning what he can do with elite pitching. Still just 21, Williams has present ability with room to grow. While he's an average runner with an average arm, Williams remains unrefined defensively and currently grades as below-average in right field. His jumps have improved and he's shown the work ethic needed to make himself an average defender.
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #7 prospect in 2014
  Williams signed for $1.05 million in 2013 on the strength of his significant raw power, but it hasn't shown up consistently yet in pro ball. The lefty-hitting former prep shortstop has developed more consistency at the plate as a pro, however, leading to a 28-game hitting streak this season and the PL batting title (.386). Williams has strength, hand speed and excellent coordination, leading to a career .351 average in 499 pro at-bats, mostly in Rookie ball. He makes solid contact to all fields, and scouts expect his over-the-fence power to develop as he matures and gains experience. Despite his fairly large frame, Williams projects to be an average runner in time. He improved significantly on defense this year, both his range in left field and arm strength, especially considering his relative inexperience at the position.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #11 prospect in 2013
  A prep shortstop despite his physical frame, Williams moved to left field as a pro, and his inexperience at the position showed in the AZL. It?s the bat that got him popped on the first day of the draft, and he impressed league observers with his raw power potential and ability to use all fields. Williams showed more doubles power in the AZL but is expected to be able to drive balls over the fence as he gains experience at the plate. Williams was limited to left field in order to give him a chance to get comfortable in the outfield, but his accurate, average arm may eventually play in right field. He?s a below-average runner now but runs a bit better underway. The Diamondbacks were impressed enough to promote Williams twice, first to Rookie-level Missoula in mid-August, then to low Class A South Bend at the end of that month.

• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williams' path to the majors has been long and winding. A D-Backs draftee, Williams was traded the next year to the Rays in a swap that brought Jeremy Hellickson to Arizona. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Rays. He was then dealt to the Cardinals for Tommy Pham at the trade deadline. A broken hand suffered punching a TV and hamstring injuries slowed him in 2019, but he returned to the majors briefly in September 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williams hits the ball very hard. He just struggles to hit the ball very hard in the air. With his level swing, he hits stinging singles and doubles rather than home runs. Williams has aboveaverage raw power. He will take a walk and he does a solid job of recognizing spin. He puts in good at-bats against lefthanders. A fringe-average runner, Williams' plus arm is an asset in right field, but he has struggled with reads and when to lay out and when to pull up, which is why he's considered a fringe-average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williams' ties a record with this Prospect Handbook appearance--he's been in eight books since 2014. He's out of options and will head to spring training looking to add a much-needed lefty bat to the very righthanded Cardinals' lineup.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williams' path to the majors has been long and winding. A D-Backs draftee, Williams was traded the next year to the Rays in a swap that brought Jeremy Hellickson to Arizona. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Rays. He was then dealt to the Cardinals for Tommy Pham at the trade deadline. A broken hand suffered punching a TV and hamstring injuries slowed him in 2019, but he returned to the majors briefly in September 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williams hits the ball very hard. He just struggles to hit the ball very hard in the air. With his level swing, he hits stinging singles and doubles rather than home runs. Williams has aboveaverage raw power. He will take a walk and he does a solid job of recognizing spin. He puts in good at-bats against lefthanders. A fringe-average runner, Williams' plus arm is an asset in right field, but he has struggled with reads and when to lay out and when to pull up, which is why he's considered a fringe-average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williams' ties a record with this Prospect Handbook appearance--he's been in eight books since 2014. He's out of options and will head to spring training looking to add a much-needed lefty bat to the very righthanded Cardinals' lineup.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williams' path to the majors has been long and winding. A D-Backs draftee, Williams was traded the next year to the Rays in a swap that brought Jeremy Hellickson to Arizona. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Rays. He was then dealt to the Cardinals for Tommy Pham at the trade deadline. A broken hand suffered punching a TV and hamstring injuries slowed him in 2019, but he returned to the majors briefly in September 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williams hits the ball very hard. He just struggles to hit the ball very hard in the air. With his level swing, he hits stinging singles and doubles rather than home runs. Williams has aboveaverage raw power. He will take a walk and he does a solid job of recognizing spin. He puts in good at-bats against lefthanders. A fringe-average runner, Williams' plus arm is an asset in right field, but he has struggled with reads and when to lay out and when to pull up, which is why he's considered a fringe-average defender.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williams' ties a record with this Prospect Handbook appearance--he's been in eight books since 2014. He's out of options and will head to spring training looking to add a much-needed lefty bat to the very righthanded Cardinals' lineup.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The D-backs drafted Williams 52nd overall in 2013 and traded him to the Rays one year later as part of the package for Jeremy Hellickson. The Rays sent him to the Cardinals as one of three prospects for Tommy Pham at the 2018 trade deadline. Williams’ first full season in the Cardinals organization was limited to 53 games by injuries. He missed the start of the season after punching a television, then went on the injured list twice with hamstring injuries during the year. He still managed to finish strong with a 1.045 OPS in 36 games at Triple-A Memphis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williams intrigues as a natural athlete with above-average raw power from the left side. He manages the strike zone and recognizes pitches, but his segmented swing results in too many ground balls. At his best he drives the ball to all fields and can elevate for home runs. Williams is a fringe-average runner whose reads and effort waver in the outfield. His best position is right field where he can utilize his plus, accurate arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williams has a chance to see the majors in 2020. He’ll break in as a reserve. BA GRADE 45 Risk: Medium BA GRADE 45 Risk: Medium
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The D-backs drafted Williams 52nd overall in 2013 and traded him to the Rays one year later in the deal for Jeremy Hellickson. The Rays sent him to the Cardinals as one of three prospects for in exchange for Tommy Pham at the 2018 trade deadline. Williams' first full season in the Cardinals organization was limited to 53 games by injuries. He missed the start of the season after punching a television, then went on the injured list twice with hamstring injuries during the year. He still managed to finish with a 1.045 OPS in 36 games at Triple-A Memphis.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williams intrigues as a natural athlete with above-average raw power from the left side. He manages the strike zone and recognizes pitches, but his segmented swing results in too many ground balls. At his best he drives the ball to all fields and can elevate for home runs. Williams is a fringe-average runner whose reads and effort waver in the outfield. His best position is right field where he can utilize his plus, accurate arm.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williams has a chance to see the majors in 2020. He'll break in as a reserve.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Diamondbacks took a shot on Williams' exceptional raw power in 2013, selecting him 52nd overall and signing him for $1.05 million. The Rays sent Jeremy Hellickson to Arizona to acquire both Williams and Andrew Velazquez after the 2014 season. Williams held his own at low Class A in 2015, then broke out in the Australian Baseball League that winter. That success carried over to 2016, when Williams reached Double-A and hit .295/.318/.447 in 90 games at two stops. Scouting Report: Williams is a natural lefthanded hitter with a compact stroke and a knack for barreling the ball. He's shown an aggressive, if not raw, approach and doesn't always wait for pitches that he can drive, but he makes as much hard contact as any Rays prospect. His batting-practice sessions encourage evaluators that he eventually will develop plus power in games. Evaluators credited improved timing for Williams' jump in batting average in 2016, noting that he was able to pull the ball more often. Defensively, he has the tools to be a capable corner outfielder. He is a near-average runner and has average arm strength.
  
  The Future: Williams' bat proved too potent for the high Class A Florida State League in 2016, and he showed power in a cameo at Double-A Montgomery, where he will begin 2017.
• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  Williams led the Rookie-level Pioneer League in hitting (.386), ranked third in on-base percentage (.433) and eneded his time in Missoula with a 28-game hitting streak. In November, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Rays along with shortstop Andrew Velazquez to get Jeremy Hellickson. Williams makes solid contact to all fields with his strength, hand speed and excellent hand-eye coordination. With above-average raw power, he could hit more home runs if he can generate more loft, but he needs to learn to better handle quality offspeed stuff. A shortstop in high school, he lacks experience in left field, but his defense has steadily improved, in part as a result of work done with outfield coordinator Joel Youngblood during instructional league. He continues to build arm strength and should eventually have enough to handle right field. An assignment to low Class A Bowling Green is his most likely starting point in 2015.