Toolsy 4th Round Pick - OF/MI Mason Williams

[Hughes2.50]

Mason Williams, 80 as a runner (6.44 60), and 60 arm strength from the outfield (91 mph). Talk about sky is the limit, especially if he can develop his power game w/o losing quickness and his speed game.

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=4783

Williams 6.44/91 from the outfield
PG National Showcase Report
Mason Williams is a 2010 OF/P with a 6'0'', 148 lb. frame from Winter Garden, FL who attends West Orange HS. Slender build, wiry strength. Very light on feet, 6.44 runner, excellent defensive player, plus range/plus arm strength in CF, shows instincts, has played MIF in past with similar tools/skills. Left handed hitter, leadoff type skills, quick short swing, line drives to all fields, polished hitter, recognizes pitches, can bunt for hits, speed plays on bases, more strength will help get balls to gaps. Also pitches, side arm style with mid 80's fastball, big sweeping CB, effective spot pitching style. Projects large as he fills out his body. Tools are present. Good student.
PG Grade: 9.5

[Snatch Catch]

I like him, but in all honesty I wouldn't reference a PG report PG doesn't give the kid a 10.0. They give those out like candy.

They're also known for inflating 60 times, so I wouldn't use their times as gospel.

I'm very happy with the pick, I'm just saying that I'd be careful in trying to apply actual scouting grades on it based on a PG report.

[Hughes2.50]

I like him, but in all honesty I wouldn't reference a PG report PG doesn't give the kid a 10.0. They give those out like candy.

They're also known for inflating 60 times, so I wouldn't use their times as gospel.

I'm very happy with the pick, I'm just saying that I'd be careful in trying to apply actual scouting grades on it based on a PG report.

He's fast that time isn't inflated . The fact that he got a 9.5 grade and not a ten actually makes their report on him more credible. Tough to give an outfielder a ten w/o any significant power. I think that the Yankees see that Williams has a chance at developing power to go along with his great speed and other skills.

[Buzah!]

Mason may be the best athlete of all the athletes we took, but he needs to get stronger.

[Hughes2.50]

Here is video of Williams at the plate and you can see his wheels to first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk1V9yD9uMM

Btw, Mason Williams is an example of what was referred to on draft night on MLB network as a scouts draft pick. That is, a guy you have to have experience "projecting his skills into the future" once he is fully developed physically. Tough thing to do, but the best scouts peer into a crystal ball to see what a kid like Williams can become. I think the Yankees minor league player development people are going to have fun working with this kid.

[Vazquez]

Here is video of Williams at the plate and you can see his wheels to first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk1V9yD9uMMBtw, Mason Williams is an example of what was referred to on draft night on MLB network as a scouts draft pick. That is, a guy you have to have experience "projecting his skills into the future" once he is fully developed physically. Tough thing to do, but the best scouts peer into a crystal ball to see what a kid like Williams can become. I think the Yankees minor league player development people are going to have fun working with this kid.

Thanks for the video.


It looks like he has the type of frame that could bulk up a lot and develop power in the next 3 or 4 years.

[kongull]

Wasn't really impressed with him in the video.

Maybe i'm not used to seeing HS athletes.

[Hughes2.50]

Thanks for the video.


It looks like he has the type of frame that could bulk up a lot and develop power in the next 3 or 4 years.

That's what the Yankees hope. Depending upon the success of the Williams project could be the difference offensively between Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury/Gardner. Obviously, the Yankees are hoping more for Crawford.

[yankee82093]

That's what the Yankees hope. Depending upon the success of the Williams project could be the difference offensively between Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury/Gardner. Obviously, the Yankees are hoping more for Crawford.

Ok, but we should be very happy if he turns out to be Gardner or Ellsbury

[Hughes2.50]

Ok, but we should be very happy if he turns out to be Gardner or Ellsbury

I think the be Yankees would be happy with a floor of Ellsbury/Gardner but drafted him in hopes of a ceiling of an offensive version of Crawford. The Twins and Rays keep drafting guys like this, now the Yankees are finally getting it.

[YESSIR!]

No offense, but why not just post this information in the "2010 Amateur Draft Results/Signings thread" to keep everything in one area? I don't think we need a different thread for every guy that was drafted.

[Posada_20]

Williams was one of my favorite picks along with Gumbs and Anderson.

[yankee82093]

I think the be Yankees would be happy with a floor of Ellsbury/Gardner but drafted him in hopes of a ceiling of an offensive version of Crawford. The Twins and Rays keep drafting guys like this, now the Yankees are finally getting it.

Very few prospects ever drafted have the floor of an above-average MLB player such as Ellsbury or Gardner. The best position prospects (top-ten), produce on avg. 2 WAR -thanks to victor wang's work

[NYDCYankee]

I think the be Yankees would be happy with a floor of Ellsbury/Gardner but drafted him in hopes of a ceiling of an offensive version of Crawford.

Oh boy, it begins.

I think they said on the broadcast he looks like Dexter Fowler, that sounds about right.

[Hughes2.50]

Very few prospects ever drafted have the floor of an above-average MLB player such as Ellsbury or Gardner. The best position prospects (top-ten), produce on avg. 2 WAR -thanks to victor wang's work

I agree. Its a long way to the majors if he makes it that far. Once there then what I said applies.

[Hughes2.50]

No offense, but why not just post this information in the "2010 Amateur Draft Results/Signings thread" to keep everything in one area? I don't think we need a different thread for every guy that was drafted.

Draft signings thread is just for that - signing news and signings. The other threads about drafted players are generally selected for those players with the highest ceilings.

[mwalvlior]

him requesting top 10 money (2 mil) makes me skeptical he will be signed.

[Hughes2.50]

That's what the Yankees hope. Depending upon the success of the Williams project could be the difference offensively between Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury/Gardner. Obviously, the Yankees are hoping more for Crawford.

Oh boy, it begins.

I think they said on the broadcast he looks like Dexter Fowler, that sounds about right.

As for the Yankees, well, as usual they are really psyched up about all their picks, particularly their No. 1, 6-2, 175-pound switch-hitting high school shortstop Cito Culver from Rochester, who they're hoping will be Derek Jeter's eventual successor, and Mason Williams, an athletic 6-1, 160-pound Florida high school center fielder who they got in the fourth round. Most scouts regarded Williams as a first-rounder but teams backed off on the belief he was going to accept a scholarship to South Carolina. Williams' biggest asset is his blazing speed, although the Yankees believe he'll develop some power when he grows into his body and can be a Carl Crawford type.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2010/06/12/2010-06-12_winter_deals_melting_in_the_heat.html?page=1#ixzz0qmIGprjs[/quote]

Maybe the Yankees believe a better comp would be Crawford than Fowler.

[mwalvlior]

he could be more crawford than fowler, but remember crawford struggled for his first two years so i wouldnt write off fowler himself just yet.

[Hughes2.50]

Fowler doesn't have the dynamic run game that Crawford/Ellsbury/and Gardner have - since Williams is an 80 runner he does. Fowler at 24 has yet to show any punch, the Yankees believe that Williams has a chance to at least show the beginnings of some punch before he is 24.

[Snatch Catch]

Fowler doesn't have the dynamic run game that Crawford/Ellsbury/and Gardner have - since Williams is an 80 runner he does. Fowler at 24 has yet to show any punch, the Yankees believe that Williams has a chance to at least show the beginnings of some punch before he is 24.

Having 80 speed and being a dynamic baserunner are two very, very, very different things, and none of us have any legitimate clue about Williams' baserunning accumen.

[Hughes2.50]

Having 80 speed and being a dynamic baserunner are two very, very, very different things, and none of us have any legitimate clue about Williams' baserunning accumen.

The least difficult projection of Williams is to place his future base-running skills as plus-plus, at least.

Of course, I'm not sure if you still believe his 60 time (6.44) is inflated.

[Buzah!]

Some of the fastest player in baseball history have been lousy basestealers. Though I think stealing has been a big part of his bunt and run game so far, let's not project talent into skill, as we've seen too many really fast guys with lousy stolen base %'s over the years.

[Hughes2.50]

Some of the fastest player in baseball history have been lousy basestealers. Though I think stealing has been a big part of his bunt and run game so far, let's not project talent into skill, as we've seen too many really fast guys with lousy stolen base %'s over the years.

That's true but I doubt that Williams falls in this category. His baseball instincts are strong, and he has amazing speed to support his base-running. Of course like with every very fast prospect, Williams has the tools to be a Crawford/Ellsbury/Gardner type baserunner, will he? Most players don't have the speed or instincts to become that dynamic. The Yankees feel he projects to be that kind of baserunner.

[Snatch Catch]

The least difficult projection of Williams is to place his future base-running skills as plus-plus, at least. Of course, I'm not sure if you still believe his 60 time (6.44) is inflated.

I don't fully trust PG 60 times, no.

And to say that Williams easily projects as a plus-plus baserunner because of having 80 speed is pretty reckless.

[Yankees1962]

That's true but I doubt that Williams falls in this category. His baseball instincts are strong, and he has amazing speed to suupport his base-running. Of course like with every prospect, Williams has the tools to be a Crawford/Ellsbury/Gardner type baserunner, will he? Most players don't have the speed or instincts to become that dynamic. The Yankees feel he projects to be that kind of baserunner.

I think they're trying to tell you let's see him play some before we make assumptions about his base-running skills beyond his natural speed that's been reported in the few scouting reports we have on him.

[Hughes2.50]

I think they're trying to tell you let's see him play some before we make assumptions about his base-running skills beyond his natural speed that's been reported in the few scouting reports we have on him.

I know what they are trying to tell me. I'm more interested in what the Yankees see in this kid, than fellow posters on a bulletin board. I know these guys (Buzah! and SC) will be ardent supporters of this kid's talent once they've seen him

[Buzah!]

I don't remember what you had to say about Tim Battle and Estee Harris at the time, and I do think we are much, much, much better at picking guys now than we were then, but it can be a double edged sword when the pick is described first as an "athlete" rather than a "player." Let's see if the bunter extrardinaire can come down from his ludicrous bonus and sign then see what he can be taught.

[Hughes2.50]

Can someone point me to a link on the internet about Williams' bonus demands?

Tim Battle's instincts weren't a strong suit.

[mwalvlior]

Can someone point me to a link on the internet about Williams' bonus demands?

“I like what they did later on Day 2 more than what they did early,” said Keith Law in his recap of rounds 2-30. He notes that Mason Williams (4th) wants top-ten money (basically $2M), and that Evan Rutckyj (16th) is looking for a first round payday, which means at least $1.2M or so.

http://riveraveblues.com/2010/06/201...g-links-29926/

[Hughes2.50]

Thanks. I found this in a Pawtucket paper. As was noted earlier on this board, his dad was on the Patriots and the kid was Red Sox fan (shades of Hughes, Heathcott, and Murphy). I noted the draft demand comment in the article.

The Yankees will most likely sign Gumbs for around 1.2 million as well as both Williams and Morton. I think the Canadian doesn't have a chance to sign for that.

[NYDCYankee]

Can someone point me to a link on the internet about Williams' bonus demands?

Tim Battle's instincts weren't a strong suit.

Someone I know that has spoken with the family said that he wants first round money (not necessarily top-ten, though I am sure he will take it.)

[Hughes2.50]

Someone I know that has spoken with the family said that he wants first round money (not necessarily top-ten, though I am sure he will take it.)

I agree. He won't be cheap, but he will sign for what JR Murphy received last year.

[mwalvlior]

Thanks. I found this in a Pawtucket paper. As was noted earlier on this board, his dad was on the Patriots and the kid was Red Sox fan (shades of Hughes, Heathcott, and Murphy). I noted the draft demand comment in the article.The Yankees will most likely sign Gumbs for around 1.2 million as well as both Williams and Morton. I think the Canadian doesn't have a chance to sign for that.

That would mean we would be giving 1-1.2 for Morton, Culver, Gumbs and Williams with a total budget of about 8 mil? Obviously we will sign a bunch of slot guys, but that doesnt leave a lot of money for the other signability guys like Kevin Jordan and Gabe Encinas.

[Hughes2.50]

Culver, Gumbs, Williams and Morton about 4.6-5.0 million, a bunch of slot guys and another signability guy or two.

[Buzah!]

They gotta do better than that.

[mwalvlior]

i agree that is not enough. Encinas and Jordan are the top two other than that list but then there are others like Dean, Segedin, Kish, Austin that we need to get some of.

[Buzah!]

Segedin, they are getting. They gave him a physical before the draft and are going to make him a rightfielder.

[Buzah!]

And I don't see why we think Culver or Gumbs will be above slot.

[mwalvlior]

that is good news, he is going to need a decent bonus to sign though, since he is DES, correct? murphy range?

[mwalvlior]

And I don't see why we think Culver or Gumbs will be above slot.

Slot with Culver is around 900K, so I figured maybe a mil.

[Buzah!]

I think that's one they already know. With Williams, they know what he wants, and he's not getting it, but they think he wants to play... so maybe something can get done.

[Buzah!]

Slot with Culver is around 900K, so I figured maybe a mil.

Why would we have to top that off?

[mwalvlior]

not saying they would or should, but in thinking about the budget mentally i was thinking slightly higher to come with worst case in terms of money left. do you have an idea of what some of the bigger guys might get or which are of higher priority to get done? thanks.

[Buzah!]

I don't really know which of the signability guys they will end up signing. I hope they are flexible enough to sign all of those that have shown them what they want by August.

[Yankees1962]

I know what they are trying to tell me. I'm more interested in what the Yankees see in this kid, than fellow posters on a bulletin board. I know these guys (Buzah! and SC) will be ardent supporters of this kid's talent once they've seen him

Which would be the first time any of us see him which is the point.

[Snatch Catch]

The least difficult projection of Williams is to place his future base-running skills as plus-plus, at least. Of course, I'm not sure if you still believe his 60 time (6.44) is inflated.

Going back to this, Oppeneimer said in an interview at PP that Williams is a 70 runner, so we can stop all of this "80 runner, plus-plus" talk.

[Januz]

The art of negotiation is to ask for the moon (If of course, you are in demand), while the reality is you have a certain number you are willing to settle for (Assuming you really want to sign). Williams and his team know they are not getting $2m from the Yankees, and likely have a much lower number in mind. I am sure they are aware of what happened to Lyons last year: His demands were way out of proportion to what the Yankees offered, and the team had other alternatives (Such as Bryan Mitchell), and eventually he was drafted much lower than last year (Costing himself $$$$$$$$). Rutckyj with his out of line $1.6m. demand (While threatening to go to some Community College in Florida (NOT exactly Stanford)), has an even weaker bargaining position for that very reason. The Yankees are actually in a very strong position: Assuming everything is correct and Culver and Segedin and essentially done (According to Jack Curry they need Culver to graduate on Jube 20th to sign him), then they can work on these guys: Gumbs, Williams, Kahnle, Encinas, Anderson, Morton, Gamel, Burawa, Dean, Rutckyj, Jacob, Jordan, Viramontes and Kish. Since there are so many quality prospects to work on, they can essentially play musical chairs over the next two months (Maybe 1/2 of that list signs?). The relievers (Kahnle, Burawa & Jacob) are an obvious example of this (1 or 2 sign the other 1 or 2 back to school). It is something for these guys to think about.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

I think the be Yankees would be happy with a floor of Ellsbury/Gardner but drafted him in hopes of a ceiling of an offensive version of Crawford. The Twins and Rays keep drafting guys like this, now the Yankees are finally getting it.

1) This is insane.
2) Gardner this year has been better than Crawford offensively.

[PaulOneil2424]

1) This is insane.
2) Gardner this year has been better than Crawford offensively.

Yeah i've been unimpressed with crawford this year. His stock is dropping in my opinion