Carson Williams Hits (And Runs To) Rare Heights
Image credit: (Photo by Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)
Power and speed. They’re the two elements of the most coveted combination in the world of prospects. A minor leaguer with heavy doses of both traits has many paths to a long, successful big league career.
Rays shortstop Carson Williams has both, and he’s proved it again with an exemplary season at Double-A Montgomery. On Sept. 12, the 21-year-old walloped his 20th home run of the year. In doing so, he became the only shortstop his age or younger with that many longballs.
Since 2006, the group of shortstops (or at least players who saw plenty of action at shortstop) younger than 21 with 20 or more home runs is dotted with plenty of high-end big leaguers. Here’s the list:
| YEAR | PLAYER | TEAM |
| 2024 | Carson Williams | Rays |
| 2023 | Jordan Lawlar | D-backs |
| 2023 | Carson Williams | Rays |
| 2023 | Orelvis Martinez | Blue Jays |
| 2022 | Ronny Mauricio | Mets |
| 2022 | Elly De La Cruz | Reds |
| 2022 | Anthony Volpe | Yankees |
| 2022 | Orelvis Martinez | Blue Jays |
| 2021 | Eddys Leonard | Dodgers |
| 2021 | Anthony Volpe | Yankees |
| 2021 | Bobby Witt Jr. | Royals |
| 2021 | Orelvis Martinez | Blue Jays |
| 2021 | Ronny Mauricio | Mets |
| 2019 | Gavin Lux | Dodgers |
| 2019 | Jeter Downs | Dodgers |
| 2019 | Jeremiah Jackson | Angels |
| 2019 | Jazz Chisholm Jr. | D-backs/Marlins |
| 2018 | Kevin Smith | Blue Jays |
| 2018 | Jazz Chisholm Jr. | D-backs |
| 2017 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | Padres |
| 2017 | Yu Chang | Guardians |
| 2016 | Isan Diaz | Brewers |
| 2014 | Corey Seager | Dodgers |
| 2014 | Javier Baez | Cubs |
| 2013 | Javier Baez | Cubs |
| 2012 | Xander Bogaerts | Red Sox |
| 2011 | Derek Dietrich | Rays |
| 2010 | Nick Franklin | Mariners |
| 2008 | Mike Moustakas | Royals |
| 2006 | Reid Brignac | Rays |
| 2006 | Sean Rodriguez | Angels |
| 2006 | Brandon Wood | Angels |
Removing the positional qualification, Williams is one of just a dozen minor leaguers who fit that description. The list also includes fellow Top 100 prospects Bryce Eldridge, Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo as well as other notable names like Cam Collier, Luis Baez, Jhostynxon Garcia and Joe Mack.
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That’s just the power. Williams’ 33 stolen bases are the highest of the group by far. The next closest is Arroyo, who finished his season with 18 swipes in 24 attempts, meaning Williams will be the only 21U player in the minors this season to hit 20 home runs and steal 30 bases.
The only other minor leaguers of any age to reach those numbers this season are Milwaukee’s Brewer Hicklen and Dodgers’ prospect Chris Newell.
Of the above group of 21U shortstops who hit 20 or more home runs over the last 18 seasons, just five have done so while also stealing 30 or more bases. Bobby Witt Jr. came one stolen base short of joining the club in 2021.
| YEAR | PLAYER | TEAM |
| 2024 | Carson Williams | Rays |
| 2023 | Jordan Lawlar | D-backs |
| 2022 | Elly De La Cruz | Reds |
| 2022 | Anthony Volpe | Yankees |
| 2021 | Anthony Volpe | Yankees |
| 2017 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | Padres |
Two things stand out when looking the group of 21U shortstops to go 20-30. First, the new rules—bigger bases, fewer pickoff throws—seems to have made stolen bases more plentiful. Second, each player on the list has ranked among the top 10 of Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects at some point in his career.
Williams currently ranks No. 7. Lawlar is No. 12 on the current list but entered the 2023 season ranked No. 9. Volpe—who is the only player to turn the trick twice—opened 2022 as the No. 10 prospect. De La Cruz began the 2023 season at No. 8 on the list. Tatis Jr. was the game’s No. 2 prospect on the 2019 list.
The next test for Williams will be Triple-A, where he will face the most advanced pitching the minor leagues have to offer, including plenty of arms with big league time. If he can pass that test, his power and speed—to say nothing of his sterling defense—should allow him a chance at a bright big league future.
