Jett Williams: Mets 2023 Minor League Player Of The Year
Shortstop Jett Williams drew 104 walks this season, becoming the first teenager to lead the Mets system in walks since David Wright in 2002.
“I think what stands out the most is the maturity in the batter’s box and how we kind of evaluate swing decisions,” Mets general manager Billy Eppler said.
“It’s the ability to swing at the pitches that provide the highest expected outcome versus taking pitches that have a lower expected outcome. His ability to do that is at an extremely advanced level stands out when you are talking about” a player drafted out of high school in his first full season.
The 19-year-old Williams spent most of the season with Low-A St. Lucie, advanced to High-A Brooklyn in August and then to Double-A Binghamton for the final week of the season plus the Eastern League playoffs.
Williams hit .263/.425/.451 with 13 home runs and 45 stolen bases in 121 games.
The 5-foot-6 Williams was drafted 14th overall in 2022 out Rockwall High in Heath, Texas. He’s part of a crop of talented young Mets infield prospects that includes Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña.
Williams struck out 118 times this season, but Eppler said that number isn’t a concern for a player who hasn’t yet displayed great power.
“Guys who have that level of plate discipline, they run into deeper counts,” Eppler said. “And they are going to run into situations where they strike out looking a little bit more, because the strike zones are wider at the minor league level and that is going to make that strikeout percentage increase.”
Williams focused his time at shortstop but also made 21 starts in center field.
“We are comfortable with him (in center field),” Eppler said, “and I don’t think there is a doubt in anybody’s mind that should second base be in his future, that could be a quick learning curve as well.”
