The Tampa Bay Rays are making headlines now with the call-up of their infield prospect Carson Williams, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported. The 22-year-old is all set to replace Ha-Seong Kim, who is back on the injured list because of his back stiffness. Williams is easily one of the most exciting young players of the franchise, and also one of baseball’s most talked-about prospects. Learn about him, his journey, and his personal life here.

Who Is Carson Williams?

Carson Williams was born on June 25, 2003, and grew up in San Diego, California. He attended Torrey Pines High School. Since then, he has been climbing through the ranks ever since the Rays selected him with the 28th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He stands tall at 6 feet 2 and weighs around 180 pounds. He has the size and athleticism that scouts hunt for.

He is Rays’ No. 1 prospect and No. 47 overall in MLB Pipeline’s top 100. And he is often talked about as one of the brightest shortstops in the game. And well, at just 22 years old, he has shown immense power, speed, and elite defense. His power bat also projects 20-plus home runs per season. But there are also some red flags, like while on one hand he brings speed and pop, his high strikeout rate has raised eyebrows. For now, he is being compared to Willy Adames or Elly De La Cruz, but one can’t help but wonder if the swing and miss risks this game.

Carson Williams’ Stats and Progress

Williams, across his minor league career, logged 62 home runs and 20-35 steals annually. He managed a .256/.353/.478 slash line. The above-average is 132 wRC+; however, the strikeouts again are a major issue.

Now in 2025, he has already managed 23 homers, 22 steals, and a 12.4% walk rate over 451 plate appearances. He has a strike rate of 34.1%, and that has dragged his average down to .213, and his average is 98 wRC+. However, regardless of certain aspects, the Tampa Bay Rays definitely believe in his positives for now.

Who are Carson Williams’ parents?

Carson Williams grew up in San Diego and in a household where both academics and athletics played a huge part. His parents, Greg and Collen Williams, have been his guides and even major influences in his life. Carson’s father, Greg Williams, taught volleyball, and Carson actually played for his dad’s beach volleyball team during his high school years. He later mentioned that it was that which made him a better baseball player.

“It’s competitive; it’s lateral movement, quickness, and jumping. You can take a lot of the athleticism from volleyball…. Swinging arm motion—it’s everything.” The father and son are extremely close, and during the pandemic, they used to work out together at least five times a week. Meanwhile, Carson’s mother, Collen Williams, is a University of Pittsburgh graduate and worked as an accountant. She isn’tin the spotlight, but her role has been immense in grounding Carson and shaping his career to be as it is now.

Carson’s Relationship and Private Life

Unlike other athletes, Carson likes to keep his personal life low-key. There is no public information about his girlfriend or any other romantic relations. It seems like he was hyper-focused on baseball and trying to make it to the majors. However, on his social media, @carson_williams, he does share glimpses of his life.

For now, Carson is not just another top prospect; he is a polished player. Sure, his strikeouts are glaring, but once he works on it, he can be a cornerstone for the Rays’ future.