This feels like a nice change of pace for the Tampa Bay Rays after a largely dismal seven weeks. The Rays are calling up shortstop Carson Williams, a top-100 prospect in baseball. The 22-year-old will be allowed to fulfill the hype associated with his rapid ascent. Jeff Passan of ESPN was the first to report the news.
The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up shortstop Carson Williams, the No. 24 prospect in all of baseball, sources tell ESPN. Williams, 22, has an elite glove and serious power and projects to be the long-term starter in one of the best young left sides of the infield in baseball.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 21, 2025
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Ha-Seong Kim will hit the IL for seemingly the umpteenth time as a member of the Rays. Correspondingly, the Rays will need to open up a 40-man roster spot. Williams is the future of the shortstop position, and it’s time for the young stud to demonstrate his worth.
Rays To Call Up Carson Williams
Williams has been with the Rays since he was chosen in the 2021 draft with the 28th overall pick. He is the Rays’ top prospect and the No. 47 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com. He packs a punch with the bat and his legs while showcasing elite defensive skills.
His 2023 season put Williams on the map in the Rays system. Williams played at three levels and posted a combined .257/.356/.497 with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs. That stout offense was followed by a standout defense that evaluators have long claimed could be his floor at the top level. The following season saw Williams at AA-Montgomery, posting 20+ HR power, a boatload of strikeouts, and notable stolen base ability.
Williams’ Growing Profile
Williams caught the attention of a larger audience with a home run in the MLB Spring Breakout game against the Boston Red Sox and their talented young guys. His 2025 season saw him start at Triple-A Durham, and it’s been an interesting season for the native of California. He’s batting .213/.318/.447 with 23 home runs, 55 RBI’s, and 23 stolen bases. Williams is on pace to set a career high in strikeouts and draw a fair number of walks. His 34.1% strikeout rate and 12.4% walk rate illustrate that dichotomy. Furthermore, a .968 fielding percentage is once again near the peaks of his career. Williams will be given an extended opportunity to prove himself without the pressure of playing on a team seriously contending for a playoff spot.
Rays top prospect Carson Williams goes deep to extend their lead! #SpringBreakout pic.twitter.com/razBTs56J3
— MLB (@MLB) March 14, 2025
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Solid Player Who Has Earned Admiration
The Rays are an organization with a rich history of developing homegrown players. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. Williams seems to be doing things that are undoubtedly catching the eyes of teammates.
Junior Caminero, who spent plenty of time with Williams in spring training a few months ago, interrupted a sideline interview to offer his praise of the young star. “He’s very good, be soon, be soon,” Caminero emphatically stated as he voiced his optimism for Williams.
Williams joins a stacked group of prospects who have made waves this season. Chandler Simpson, who was recalled in late April and enlisted again in June, is making an impact right now. Caminero’s results speak for themselves, and the Rays still have talented prospects that could soon be getting a taste at the big level. Are Xavier Issac and Tre’ Morgan coming up soon?
Main Photo Credits: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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