Jett Williams

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #1 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: The Mets were linked to Williams throughout the 2022 draft cycle and got their man with the 14th overall pick. Little more than a year later, he was in Double-A helping Binghamton reach the Eastern League finals as a 19-year-old. Williams was a favorite of scouts on the high school showcase circuit because of his swing decisions, speed and aggressive style of play. Those traits were on display in an outstanding first full season in pro ball. Williams hit .263/.425/.451 with 13 home runs and 45 stolen bases in 121 games, spending most of the season at Low-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn. He was especially productive from June 1 onward, putting up a .943 OPS that ranked him top 50 in the full-season minors among a sample of hitters who averaged 24 years of age. Williams drew 104 walks to rank second in the minors. Williams was one of four teenagers who drew at least 100 walks--fellow 2022 first-rounders Jackson Holliday and Termarr Johnson were two others--which had not been done by a teen in the full-season minor leagues since 1996.
  
  Scouting Report: Williams plays with a confidence born out of always being doubted because of his 5-foot-6 stature. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex product has at least average tools across the board, with a chance to develop standout hitting and on-base ability to go with plus speed. Using a simple hitting setup and minimal leg kick, Williams hits the ball with authority to all fields. He gets outstanding carry to right field because he has the rare ability to drive the ball on a line the other way, with no slicing action. While his power may be no better than average, he gets to all of it. Swing decisions are Williams’ strong suit. He had one of the lower chase rates in the minor leagues in 2023 and rarely swings and misses in the zone. He works a lot of deep counts because he makes pitchers work. He is a plus runner and constant stolen base threat. Williams entered pro ball as an unrefined shortstop defender, but he made many strides at the position in 2023 and could get to average with continued work. Williams also made 21 starts in center field, and many prefer him there to maximize his speed, athleticism and above-average arm. He hasn’t played second base as a pro, but the Mets expect he could pick it up quickly if needed.
  
  The Future: Williams plays with a chip on his shoulder reminiscent of former Red Sox all-star Dustin Pedroia. As a potential on-base machine with average power and plus basestealing ability, Williams could develop into a first-division leadoff man who plays up the middle. After reaching Double-A as a teenager, he is primed to advance to Triple-A at age 20 and enter the major league picture in late 2024 or early 2025. N
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #6 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Mets were linked to Williams throughout the 2022 draft season. The club had been dialed in on him since the 2021 Area Code Games and viewed drafting the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex product with the 14th overall pick as an ideal outcome. Williams signed for $3.9 million, which was about 8% under slot value. He reported to the Florida Complex League after signing and was not fazed by the assignment. He continued to make quality contact while exercising good swing decisions and going 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts in 10 games.
  
  Scouting Report: 'Unafraid' may be the best adjective to describe the 5-foot-8 Williams. He plays with a chip on his shoulder similar to short middle infielders like Dustin Pedroia or Alex Bregman. Time will tell if Williams' skills measure up to those all-stars, but he was a scout's favorite on the high school showcase circuit for his bat-to-ball skill, plus speed and overall exciting style of play. The Mets have little doubt Williams will develop into a plus hitter with on-base ability that would fit at the top of the lineup. Because he does such a good job hitting his pitch, he could approach average power in his peak seasons, but below-average is the more likely outcome. He is a skilled basestealer who also runs well enough to have played center field as an amateur. The Mets like Williams on the middle infield, most likely at second base in the big leagues because his range and overall efficiency at shortstop are light. His average arm will fit at the keystone.
  
  The Future: It may take four years to manifest, but Williams projects to be the Mets' second baseman of the future and potential leadoff hitter. He is a strong bet to open 2023 as the shortstop for Low-A St. Lucie.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #15 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: Rockwall-Heath HS, Rockwall, Texas Committed/Drafted: Mississippi State
  Age At Draft: 18.7
  BA Grade: 60/Extreme
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50
  Consistency best describes Williams’ performance in 2021 and 2022. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound center fielder has performed everywhere he’s been, from the Area Code Games all the way to the 2022 spring. In the box, Williams stands with an upright stance and his hands close to his chest. Williams strides into the ball, drawing his hands back in time prior to contact. His plus bat speed is eye-opening, resulting in higher exit velocities off the barrel and gap shots you wouldn’t expect to come from someone of his age and stature. Scouts marvel at his ability to track spin and use all fields, which gives the notion that the transition into professional baseball should come with little restraint. Williams is a plus runner, turning in 60-yard dash times around 6.5 seconds. It’s not a rare occurrence to see him turn a single into a double and a double into a triple. Defensively, Williams’ plus speed, quickness, reads and instincts give scouts everything they look for in a center fielder. He has the ability to go deep in the gaps to make the difficult play and combines his defense with a solid-average arm. Throughout the year, Williams has also shown the ability to play up the middle on the dirt, adding to his versatility. Depending on which scout you talk to, the defensive future for Williams changes, but all agree it will be in the middle of the field somewhere. The only concern in Williams’ profile is the one thing he can’t control. With limited physical upside left, Williams will not fit the profile some evaluators look for in a highly drafted prospect. However, evaluators cannot doubt the tools and overall package Williams brings to the table. Do not be surprised if Williams comes off the draft board a bit sooner than expected.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #40 prospect in 2024
• Ranked Baseball America's #89 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #98 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Mets were linked to Williams throughout the 2022 draft season. The club had been dialed in on him since the 2021 Area Code Games and viewed drafting the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex product with the 14th overall pick as an ideal outcome. Williams signed for $3.9 million, which was about 8% under slot value. He reported to the Florida Complex League after signing and was not fazed by the assignment. He continued to make quality contact while exercising good swing decisions and going 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts in 10 games.
  
  Scouting Report: 'Unafraid' may be the best adjective to describe the 5-foot-8 Williams. He plays with a chip on his shoulder similar to short middle infielders like Dustin Pedroia or Alex Bregman. Time will tell if Williams' skills measure up to those all-stars, but he was a scout's favorite on the high school showcase circuit for his bat-to-ball skill, plus speed and overall exciting style of play. The Mets have little doubt Williams will develop into a plus hitter with on-base ability that would fit at the top of the lineup. Because he does such a good job hitting his pitch, he could approach average power in his peak seasons, but below-average is the more likely outcome. He is a skilled basestealer who also runs well enough to have played center field as an amateur. The Mets like Williams on the middle infield, most likely at second base in the big leagues because his range and overall efficiency at shortstop are light. His average arm will fit at the keystone.
  
  The Future: It may take four years to manifest, but Williams projects to be the Mets' second baseman of the future and potential leadoff hitter. He is a strong bet to open 2023 as the shortstop for Low-A St. Lucie.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Mets were linked to Williams throughout the 2022 draft season. The club had been dialed in on him since the 2021 Area Code Games and viewed drafting the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex product with the 14th overall pick as an ideal outcome. Williams signed for $3.9 million, which was about 8% under slot value. He reported to the Florida Complex League after signing and was not fazed by the assignment. He continued to make quality contact while exercising good swing decisions and going 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts in 10 games.
  
  Scouting Report: 'Unafraid' may be the best adjective to describe the 5-foot-8 Williams. He plays with a chip on his shoulder similar to short middle infielders like Dustin Pedroia or Alex Bregman. Time will tell if Williams' skills measure up to those all-stars, but he was a scout's favorite on the high school showcase circuit for his bat-to-ball skill, plus speed and overall exciting style of play. The Mets have little doubt Williams will develop into a plus hitter with on-base ability that would fit at the top of the lineup. Because he does such a good job hitting his pitch, he could approach average power in his peak seasons, but below-average is the more likely outcome. He is a skilled basestealer who also runs well enough to have played center field as an amateur. The Mets like Williams on the middle infield, most likely at second base in the big leagues because his range and overall efficiency at shortstop are light. His average arm will fit at the keystone.
  
  The Future: It may take four years to manifest, but Williams projects to be the Mets' second baseman of the future and potential leadoff hitter. He is a strong bet to open 2023 as the shortstop for Low-A St. Lucie.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  August Update: Consistency best describes Williams&#39 performance in 2021 and 2022. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound shortstop/center fielder performed everywhere he played, from the Area Code Games all the way to the 2022 spring. The Mets were on the Texas prep all spring and drafted him 14th overall. In the box, Williams stands with an upright stance and his hands close to his chest. He strides into the ball, drawing his hands back in time prior to contact. His plus bat speed is eye-opening, resulting in higher exit velocities off the barrel and gap shots you one wouldn&#39t expect to come from someone of his age and stature. Scouts marvel at his ability to track spin and use all fields, which gives the notion that the transition into pro baseball should come with little restraint. Williams is a plus runner, turning in 60-yard dash times around 6.5 seconds. It&#39s not a rare occurrence to see him turn a single into a double and a double into a triple. Defensively, Williams&#39 plus speed, quickness, reads and instincts give scouts everything they look for in a center fielder. He has the ability to go deep in the gaps to make the difficult play and combines his defense with a solid-average arm. Throughout the year, Williams showed the ability to play up the middle on the dirt, adding to his versatility. Depending on which scout you talk to, the defensive future for Williams changes, but all agree it will be in the middle of the field somewhere. The only concern in Williams&#39 profile—limited physical upside—is the one thing he can&#39t control. However, evaluators cannot doubt the tools and overall package Williams brings to the table.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Run: 60. Field: 55. Arm: 50.