Rays select Arizona State shortstop Alika Williams No. 37 overall
With the 37th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, the Tampa Bay Rays selected Alika Williams, a shortstop out of Arizona State.
The defensive-minded Williams re-entered the draft after the Yankees picked him in the 32nd round in 2017.
The pick that the Rays used to select Williams came via trade from the St. Louis Cardinals. In January, the Cards acquired left-handed pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore, catcher Edgardo Rodriguez, and the Rays' pick in the second competitive balance round (No. 63) in exchange for outfielders Jose Martinez, Randy Arozarena, and the 37th overall pick.
Williams' selection marks the conclusion of the first competitive balance round as well as Day 1 of the draft.
Bio
Age: 21
Position: SS
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 180 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Arizona State
Pick value: $1,999,300
Tools
- Advanced fielder (60-grade tool)
- Solid contact hitter (50-grade tool)
Why you're going to love this guy
- Displayed excellent strike-zone awareness by walking more often than striking out over three seasons
- Glove work is good enough that it's expected to help him be an everyday starter in the majors, even if his bat doesn't develop as quickly
Things he'll need to overcome
- Next to no power (40-grade tool)
- Ineffective base-stealer
2019 stats
| PA | AVG | OPS | HR | BB/K | SB (SB%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 262 | .333 | .903 | 4 | 33/28 | 9 (69%) |