PORT ST. LUCIE — Top Mets prospect Jett Williams makes a big first impression, never mind that he could fit neatly in his little Mets cubbyhole here. He looks like he belongs not at pro camp but a school play yard — baby faced, and 5-foot-6, 5-foot-7 or 5-foot-8. (I think we’ve actually figured that out with precision, thanks to Williams’ honest nature and a confirming assist from one of the other writers.)
Height actually doesn’t matter much in baseball, and it doesn’t matter a whit to Williams, who in little more than a year has risen up the prospect lists all the way to No. 22 on at least one (and that’s in all MLB, not just with the Mets). One MLB scout describes Williams, admiringly, as a “pack of dynamite.”
So let’s get that height thing out of the way today.
“I always kind of dealt with it my whole entire life. But for the most part it’s kind of made me what I am today,” Williams said on his first day in his first big-league training camp. “I think I play like what people say. I play with a little bit of chip on my shoulder.”
Word is, the kid — he’s just 20, not old enough to drink — also plays with a purpose. Scouts say he explodes on the field. The Texas high schooler drafted No. 14 overall by the Mets in 2022 is a gem, like one of the two diamonds he wears “for style” in each ear.
He’s projected as a top-of-the-order guy and center fielder or second baseman, though he’s said to be “surprisingly good” at shortstop (of course, that spot’s taken until 2031 by Francisco Lindor).
He’s quite stylish. Better than that, he can really play. The .263/.425/.451 slash line suggests a keen batting eye and plus power that belies that stature.
One scout says he has “explosive tools with a short swing, accurate barrel and discerning eye, sneaky pop and plenty of athleticism.”
That scout adds four more words (plus two more letters) that may sum Williams up as concisely and perfectly as possible. “High baseball IQ, tenacious motor.”
Williams is determined, but he isn’t unrealistic. He understands he’s all but sure to begin the season at Double-A Binghamton but stresses that his goal is to make it to the majors in 2024. Based on reviews collected and observations made Friday, that would be a treat for all of us.
Scouts often message in short bursts of words rather than sentences. In Williams’ case, they describe a player who’s going to be fun as hell to watch. One scout writes: “Speed. Controls zone. Impacts ball. Super young. Great makeup.”
They’re only beginning workouts here, so I’ll have to take their words for it on his play, his athleticism and even his motor. But I can attest the kid if likable as hell.
He did interview after interview on his first day, and never minded all the annoying questions about his height or even the spelling of his name (turns out, according to him, his father wasn’t necessarily a fan of Jett Williams, the country singer and daughter of Hank Williams, or even Joan Jett, and simply thought the extra “T” was distinctive.)
Williams certainly is distinguishing himself with his play, starting at Rockwell-Heat High in Heath, Texas, within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, then following the draft agreement for a $3.9 million signing bonus, through most of the Mets minors. He hit four levels his first full year as a pro, going quickly from rookie ball to St. Lucie to Brooklyn and finally to Binghamton. In addition to 45 stolen bases, he also hit 13 home runs. Power sometimes comes in small packages.
“I feel like in baseball, what do you need size for?” Williams said. “Just cause you’re 6-5 doesn’t mean you’re going to hit the ball farther.”
Williams is proving adept at both shortstop and center field, two premium positions, and says he’ll play anywhere now, that he prefers whatever position gives him the best chance to get to the majors quickest. “Short, second, center, left, I’ll play as long as I’m in the big leagues the fastest,” he said.
I’ll say I’m OK with that, as he already seems like a big clubhouse plus. In the room he radiates good feeling. He has a ready smile, a confident air and an obvious determination, which will serve him well. He also gets bonus points for honesty.
When I asked him how tall he is he said “5-foot-7, 5-foot-8,” And that’s exactly right. Forget some Web sites listing him at 5-6. That’s plain wrong. I know because a writer who’s 5-7 and a half stood behind him at one point, and while Williams didn’t tower over him, Williams had him by a few more hairs. So 5-7 to 5-8 right is right — although with this fellow, the guess is that size doesn’t matter one bit.
