| Player: Alika Williams | Draft Day Age: 21 | ||
| School: Arizona State | Position(s): SS | ||
| Height: 6’2” | Weight: 180 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Hit: Best attribute is control of the zone, as he is a contact hitter who does not chase or swing and miss much. A season ago the gap power became a legitimate part of his game making him a doubles threat, although he will never be much of a home run threat. Bat gets long and drags at times, but still manages to make plenty of contact. | |||
| Field: Some tab him as the best defensive college SS in the draft, while other scouts expect him to merely be average at the position, but there is little doubt he will stick at short. The athleticism isn’t elite, but the instincts at the position are. He has plenty of arm strength and throws with accuracy from a variety of arm slots. | |||
| Summary: The position he plays is what is driving his value. He can be an average to plus defender at short (yes, that wide a range of outcomes) and has the approach at the plate to be a potential leadoff batter. Speed is solid but will not be confused for a burner. Range in the field and stolen bases are more on instincts than athleticism. Comps floated out are two former college shortstops from the state of Arizona in Kevin Newman and Deven Marrero, which are fitting. My projection would be slightly better than the two, but much of the same type player. His stock may have been hurt as much as any by no season as scouts would have flocked to see Spencer Torkelson and a good season from Williams could have catapulted him into the first round. | |||
Three Quarter Slot
THREE QUARTER SLOT 