Jackson Williams

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #16 prospect in 2009
  You'd imagine the Giants would have been down on Williams after he hit .179 in 47 games in low Class A to start 2008. Instead, they promoted him and he showed improvement at the plate--albeit by batting .231 in the hitter's haven that is the California League. It remains to be seen whether he'll ever hit enough to justify going 43rd overall in the 2007 draft and receiving a $708,750 bonus. But Williams did cut down his stride, shortened up and became more aggressive early in the count. He peaked in instructional league, where club officials insisted he was the best hitter in a camp filled with the organization's elite prospects. Williams originally might have bought into the idea that he's a defensive catcher with limited offensive upside, but coaches disabused him of that notion. There's no doubting his Gold Glove-caliber skills behind the plate. Augusta manager Andy Skeels, who played with Sandy Alomar and Benito Santiago, said Williams has a quicker release and a more accurate arm than those two former all-stars. He threw out 45 percent of basestealers last season. He blocks balls in the dirt, keeps pitchers focused and calls a good game. If Buster Posey starts 2009 in Double-A, Williams will return to high Class A so both can play every day.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #18 prospect in 2008
  Most scouts thought San Francisco overdrafted Williams because they had six selections among the first 51 picks and needed to watch their bonus money. While his bat certainly didn't merit the 43rd overall selection or a $708,750 bonus, the Giants are captivated by his skills behind the plate and think he'll be a big leaguer if they can make him just a serviceable hitter. As a bonus, his first pro manager at Salem-Keizer happened to be former big league catcher Steve Decker, who knew he was watching something special the first time Williams threw to second base. He has a slightly above-average arm but his lightning-quick release helps him get a pop time consistently below 1.95 seconds on throws to second base. He was able to control the running without pitchers even bothering with a slide-step, leading the Northwest League by throwing out 43 percent of opposing basestealers. Williams also has terrific footwork, blocks everything in the dirt and runs well for a catcher. He works hard on his line-drive swing, has a bit of gap power and does a decent job putting the ball in play. Williams had a tender elbow in instructional league, where he was limited to DH duty. Considering the dearth of catchers in the system, he'll move fast as long as his bat is playable, with a jump to high Class A likely for 2008.