Twins Daily Draft Preview: Jett Williams

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Who? That's probably the first thing you said when you saw the name above. And that's fair. I haven't seen a mock yet that had the Twins selecting the prep infielder from Texas. But that doesn't mean it's not a name you should have on your radar.

 

 

Over the next two weeks, we're going to be providing you with profiles of 10 players the Twins could take with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft on July 17. 

Who is He?
Jett Williams is an 18-year-old prep shortstop/center fielder from Rockwall-Heath (TX) High School. While Keith Law (11), Baseball America (15), MLB (21), and ESPN (25) all have him outside the Top 10, there are some characteristics in the ball player that the Twins really, really like.

At 5-8, Williams, a Mississippi State commit, is undersized and that is likely to give some teams pause. But he's fast, can hit and is almost a lock to play up the middle defensively. 

Why the Twins Will Draft Him
The Twins value the traits that Williams possesses and though they've never used such a high pick on a player of this stature, scouting director Sean Johnson has raved about both Dustin Pedroia and Alex Bregman, from his days as a crosschecker.

What isn't to like, really? Baseball America calls his hand speed "eye-opening." MLB.com says he "rarely swings and misses." He's fast. Everyone cites his "plus-speed" and while he might not be Buxton Fast, BA says it's not uncommon for normal singles to become doubles and normal doubles to become triples (or "show off doubles"). Think Luis Arraez, but right-handed and faster. Think a faster version of Brian Dozier, without the magnificent hair and 40-home run pull power. There's an exciting ceiling here.

Why the Twins Won't Draft Him
He's small. He's not the prototypical athletic marvel that top picks typically are. Look at Byron Buxton. Look at Carlos Correa. If you saw those guys on the street, you might mistake them for professional football players of the American variety. Williams looks more like a European football player. 

There are players that fit the "Twins mold" much better. Big, powerful dudes that project to hit 30 homers a year and end up in a corner.  

And not that it's a reason to not draft him - the Twins haven't put a huge emphasis on defense while drafting - but there are some that don't know if Williams can stick at shortstop. No one is putting a plus grade on his arm and most shortstops have, at minimum, an above average arm. The most glowing endorsement of his arm was Baseball America calling it "solid average." MLB.com did mention that his shoulder bothered him during the summer and that's why his arm is considered what it is. 

But no one is doubting his ability to play an up-the-middle position.

Given all that you've learned now, is Williams someone you could consider with the eighth pick?

 

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[Dman]

He is someone I have read quite a bit about. I mean some evaluators think he isn't all that far off from Johnson who is in the top seven.  If the Twins could get a below slot deal with this guy I would do it.  The only real issue holding him back is the arm.  If you wanted him at short or center there do seem to be lot's of questions about the arm. If you see him at second the arm isn't an issue. I think you have to assume the arm will be average at best.  To me he looks like he could be Altuve lite.  I really, really like the skillset and he fits better with the Twins next wave of Urbina, Miller, Rodriguez, Rosario etc.  I would have no problem if the Twins took him at 8 and saved money for the later rounds.  I definitely like it more than the Cross pick.

[Seth Stohs]

Assuming the top 7 are all gone before #8... if there isn't a guy that they are 100% convinced (and with conviction) will be terrific, I'd always play the signing bonus game to get more talent at 48. 

[MN_ExPat]

Pedroia, Altuve and Arraez are pretty "ok" comps I would guess . 

Kid seems like a legit athlete from video. 

[RJA]

I agree with Seth and Dman. If one of the top 7 don’t fall, I would prefer to save some money and choose a toolsy player, with an excellent defensive profile over the higher rated college bats that would still be available. I think there will be a lot of arms available in the second and third rounds and a little extra cash could make a big difference in getting them to sign. And, Neto and Williams are both great prospects. 

[nicksaviking]

I don't like the undersized players. If he does have power potential, OK, I'd play along, though at this stage, it's usually hard to predict. A high contact slap hitter at #8 though? No thanks. A slap hitter typically has to hit his absolute ceiling to be a long-time starting MLB player, if you have XBH potential there's much more wiggle room.

As for the speed, that's great, I'd rather have a fast player than a slow player. But Buxton has two SB this year. As a team the Twins only have 14 combined, and it's not like the team is great about trying to take extra bases either. 

[Dman]

45 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't like the undersized players. If he does have power potential, OK, I'd play along, though at this stage, it's usually hard to predict. A high contact slap hitter at #8 though? No thanks. A slap hitter typically has to hit his absolute ceiling to be a long-time starting MLB player, if you have XBH potential there's much more wiggle room.

As for the speed, that's great, I'd rather have a fast player than a slow player. But Buxton has two SB this year. As a team the Twins only have 14 combined, and it's not like the team is great about trying to take extra bases either. 

Yeah power is tough to project but Corbin Carroll was supposed to be a slap hitter and now hits for power. Same could be said of Spencer Steer.  Not saying just anyone can do it but power would be the tool I would be least worried about as it seems to come around in time.  I think Williams will have power but most likely not high end power like Buxton.

I think contact hitters are as important as power hitters.  The ability to get on base and work the pitcher has its merits.  Just look at what Arraez has done and you can see how important it can be.  Not saying Williams could ever be "that" good but getting on base and not making outs puts pressure on the other team.  The Twins have plenty of power hitters so focusing on a speedy contact hitter could help balance the system a little.

To your point speed for stolen bases might be over rated but it still helps with defense and turning long singles into doubles.  It is a trait the Twins could use more of.  Speed is what makes Buxton elite in center.  It can help when you are late in the game and really need that stolen base.  Speed helps most though when it comes to defense and getting to balls someone slower can't.  

I'm not saying Williams is a perfect pick but I do think the skills he has could translate into an elite player and I think that is what you are looking for at number 8. 

[TopGunn#22]

I like the way this kid plays the game.  Unless someone surprising falls that the Twins would be fools to pass on, Jett Williams is REALLY intriguing to me.  I don't care at all about his size.  Just like I learned not to care if I guy seems a little "chunky."  Baseball is a game of "technique."  If your technique is good you will succeed.  Kent Hrbek.  For some of the older guys on TD how about Mikey Lolich.  Jett Williams looks like he knows how to play BASEBALL.

If Somebody OBVIOUS isn't there, take this kid at a below slot deal and save some money for pitching.  Altuve, Pedroia, Arraez.  Those guys are/were BASEBALL players.  Even if Williams ends up at 2B he could be a helluva 2B-man.  

[DocBauer]

I feel kinda bad here because I didn't have an opportunity to comment on the Neto post. I mean, as much as I love my Twins, my son getting married July 4th kinda took over any blogging, lol.

I admit to no previous knowledge of Williams at this point, other than presented here as I haven't taken time to read or look at BA. Again, been busy and sidetracked. Height doesn't bother me. Big time power doesn't concern me. Again, think Arraez as a fallback, Steer...a little bigger...and sorry...but to compare Altuve to anyone is pretty unfair. 

Never understood where "gamer" and "ballplayer" became negatives. Again, think Arraez. Just from what I've read here, without additional research, I'm thinking this is a very, very interesting option who has a lot of tools to work with, especially hit and OB tools, combined with some speed. And a few years from now, someone will have to eventually take over for Polanco, though they probably won't be the same player. 

But injury to his arm has to be a concern. Does he have the arm to stick at SS or play CF "old school" where you are outstanding with glove and arm and do all the important things such as HIT and get OB? He just might. Despite Miller as the top SS in the system, I'm OK with another top SS draftee, IF the arm checks out. Especially if under slot brings in an arm in round 2.

But while older  doesn't Neto offer almost the same profile? Neto is a 50 on defense, which concerns me, but has seemingly more proven "hit" ability and probably as close or  better power and speed profile. He also fits the 'gamer" and "ballplayer" profile, which is not a bad thing. He can potentially "do it all" with a little more certainty than Williams. Also, there still might be a $ savings for round 2.

I'm very interested, but not sure Williams is the right choice.

 

[Dman]

23 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I feel kinda bad here because I didn't have an opportunity to comment on the Neto post. I mean, as much as I love my Twins, my son getting married July 4th kinda took over any blogging, lol.

I admit to no previous knowledge of Williams at this point, other than presented here as I haven't taken time to read or look at BA. Again, been busy and sidetracked. Height doesn't bother me. Big time power doesn't concern me. Again, think Arraez as a fallback, Steer...a little bigger...and sorry...but to compare Altuve to anyone is pretty unfair. 

Never understood where "gamer" and "ballplayer" became negatives. Again, think Arraez. Just from what I've read here, without additional research, I'm thinking this is a very, very interesting option who has a lot of tools to work with, especially hit and OB tools, combined with some speed. And a few years from now, someone will have to eventually take over for Polanco, though they probably won't be the same player. 

But injury to his arm has to be a concern. Does he have the arm to stick at SS or play CF "old school" where you are outstanding with glove and arm and do all the important things such as HIT and get OB? He just might. Despite Miller as the top SS in the system, I'm OK with another top SS draftee, IF the arm checks out. Especially if under slot brings in an arm in round 2.

But while older  doesn't Neto offer almost the same profile? Neto is a 50 on defense, which concerns me, but has seemingly more proven "hit" ability and probably as close or  better power and speed profile. He also fits the 'gamer" and "ballplayer" profile, which is not a bad thing. He can potentially "do it all" with a little more certainty than Williams. Also, there still might be a $ savings for round 2.

I'm very interested, but not sure Williams is the right choice.

 

Count me in as conflicted on Neto vs Williams as well.  Williams runs better but Neto has the better arm they both have good contact skills.  I see Neto as the faster mover and more likely to stick at short but the extra speed Jett brings is nice to have in the back pocket as well.  Even with an average arm Center could work for Williams.  Revere had a below average arm and made it work.  Not ideal but it can work.  Hard to say who will end up better with the bat and OnBase skills but it would be hard to beat Neto's numbers. still Williams is three years younger so he has time to catch up.

I think if you want the better option to stick at short it is Neto but if you want that speed and possibly elite bat maybe it is Williams.  Tough call but that is what the Twins get paid the big bucks for.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

This is less true now, but over a relatively good chunk of time, almost no major league shortstops were drafted from a four-year college. In fact, at the time I read that, Brandon Crawford was the only guy that stuck, all the other starting shortstops were high school or international. Dansby Swanson and Trea Turner have helped overcome that stigma a bit, but old beliefs die hard in the scouting ranks.

That's not to say that Williams has a better chance to stick at shortstop than Neto, but Williams' future is at shortstop, then center field, then second base... and Neto's is at shortstop, then second base. Williams is certainly the premium athlete of the two and has the higher ceiling.