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Carson Willams’ Struggles in the Minors Make Ha-Seong Kim’s Return Consequential

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Baseball teams crave certainty and the clarity of knowing who will be playing years into the future. The Tampa Bay Rays thought they had clarity regarding their shortstop when the frugal club splurged on Wander Franco with an 11-year, $182 million contract.

Unfortunately, Franco was unable to manage his life off the field and is currently in a state of limbo regarding his future in baseball. The Rays had to pivot. Players such as Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero posted solid defense but struggled offensively. Were there any answers in the upper levels of the farm system? How would the Rays approach this critical spot on the baseball diamond?

Carson Williams Tabbed As The Next Big Thing for Rays

Carson Williams was drafted by the Rays with the 28th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He was ranked as the No. 24 prospect in baseball, per MLB.com. That placement shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise given how well he played in 2024. He batted .256 across 115 games to go along with 20 doubles, 20 home runs, and 69 RBI at the Double-A level. He started in Triple-A this season and MLB.com listed his ETA as 2025.

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Williams Has Struggled So Far in 2025

Simply put, Williams has been struggling this season. He is slashing .178 with six home runs and 15 RBI in 49 games. He is striking out almost three times as much as he is walking. Concerns abounded about an elevated strikeout rate earlier in his pro career, but his defense was top-shelf. Of course, it’s far too early to write off Carson Williams, but the expectation that he could be the starting shortstop for the Rays always seemed unlikely. The club is getting measly offensive production from the shortstop position and would welcome any additional production. Williams’ struggles, however, are shining the spotlight on an offseason acquisition that largely flew under the radar.

Ha-Seong Kim’s Impending Return

Ha-Seong Kim signed a two-year pact that includes an opt-out after the first season. It’s a smart signing because it gives the Rays a stopgap solution at the position once he returns from shoulder surgery. Kim is in the midst of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham and should be with the club shortly. Kim brings a decent power bat to the lineup, having smacked 39 home runs over the last three campaigns. He stole 38 bases in his last healthy season, which could add more speed to a Rays squad that already leads the league in stolen bases. Importantly, Kim can also play second and third base.

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Kim’s Contract Presents Interesting Scenarios for Rays

As mentioned, Kim has an opt-out that he would surely exercise if he returns to the field and posts stellar production. While the Rays would miss his production if he departed, they would also shed his salary and re-open the position for Williams next season. If Kim returns and plays poorly, then the Rays may be stuck with a player who opts into a deal that will raise his salary from $13 million to $16 million next season. The Rays may squirm at that level of financial commitment.

All told, Kim’s return creates an interesting set of incentives for the club as they try to return to the postseason after sitting on the sidelines last autumn. The Rays are playing well at the present moment, even if they find themselves behind the New York Yankees in the American League East. They just completed a stretch in which they used the home run ball to bludgeon opposing pitchers. Kim is the type of player who could fit seamlessly on this roster. Meanwhile, the Rays will be laying the groundwork for sustained contention as their prized shortstop prospect gets more seasoning in the minor leagues.

 

Photo Credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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