Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles Should Give Mason Williams A Chance In The Majors

Once a prized prospect of the New York Yankees, Mason Williams has had an outstanding season in Triple-A for the Baltimore Orioles.

As Baltimore Orioles fans know well the 2019 season is all about finding players that may be worth keeping around for when the team is ready to compete.

The Orioles have found a handful in starting pitcher John Means, infielder Hanser Alberto, outfielder Anthony Santander and possibly even designated hitter Renato Nunez. While this is a start, there’s a lot more work to do, and at this point, anyone who’s near major league ready deserves a chance to audition to either be a part of the Orioles future or perhaps another clubs future.

One of the players who deserves a chance to prove himself is 27-year-old outfielder Mason Williams. Williams was drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees and chose to sign with the club rather than attend the University of South Carolina.

Williams thrived in the Yankees minor league system earning accolades such as the 2011 New York Penn League MVP and being named one of baseball’s top 100 prospects. After hitting above or right around .300 at nearly every stop of his minor league carer, Williams earned his first call up to New York in 2015. In his major league debut, he hit a home run in just the second at-bat of his carer against the Orioles at Camden Yards. Unfortunately, Williams would go onto suffer a shoulder injury that would end his season after just eight games in which he batted .286.

Williams spent much of 2016 with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate but did earn a call-up in September and hit .296 in 27 at-bats. He again got a chance with the Yankees in 2017 but only lasted five games before the Yankees decided to designate him for assignment due to the emergence of outfielders Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks.

After electing free-agency following the 2017 season, Williams signed with the Cincinnati Reds. Williams would start the season in Triple-A Louisville and slashed .280/.341/.418 with six home runs and 30 RBI’s. Williams’ solid play earned him a call up to Cincinnati in July where he’d remain for the rest of the season. In 51 big league games as a Red, Williams slashed .293/.331/.398 with two home runs and six RBI’s.
He would re-sign with the Reds but was released towards the end of spring training in 2019 and ended up signing a minor league deal with the Orioles.

Williams has spent the entire 2019 season with the Norfolk Tides and has put up some eye-popping numbers. In 99 games, Williams is slashing .315/.368/.478 with 15 home runs and 46 RBI’s.

The long-ball has never been a huge part of Williams game, but at Norfolk, he seems to have found some while still hitting for a high batting average much like he has his entire carer.

In a year where Camden Yards is practically open for players trying out for the home team, the Orioles have no excuse not to give Williams a chance in their major league outfield.

Both  DJ Stewart and Dwight Smith Jr. are injured, Stevie Wilkerson has struggled in the outfield, and Trey Mancini is likely a first basemen long-term. The Orioles should give Williams a chance to prove his worth at the majors. If he struggles, at least they can say they gave him a look before moving on, if he thrives they may have unlocked one of baseball’s hidden gems.