GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Jett Williams Shines in Limited Action
Jett Williams might not have seen much of the field lately, but when he has, he's shown exactly why Brewers manager Pat Murphy is so high on him.
After two weeks sidelined with a quad injury, Williams made a triumphant return, ripping a 106.6 mph double in his first at-bat and drawing a patient seven-pitch walk in his next. On a night when the Brewers struggled against Guardians starter Slade Cecconi, Williams was responsible for two of the team's three trips on base.
Murphy had nothing but praise, saying, “He’s an aggressive baseball player. Really aggressive."
Earlier in camp, Williams played in three games, walking twice and hitting a three-run triple before injuring his quad on February 23. This setback was unfortunate for Williams’ chances of making the team out of camp. It wasn’t a question of talent, but rather the 22-year-old's focus on getting comfortable at third base-a position he's never played professionally.
Williams explained, “It’s like I’m playing shortstop and playing in. Still on the left side of the diamond.
I just try to treat it like it’s shortstop. I talked to a couple of guys who have made that transition and really it’s just try to keep everything simple.
Catch the ball and throw.”
The Brewers have been impressed with Williams’ work ethic and aptitude during his first big-league camp, feeling like they got more than expected in the January trade that sent Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers to the Mets.
If Williams had stayed healthy, he might have cracked the opening day roster based on his strong first impression. Instead, he’s likely headed to Class AAA Nashville to hone his skills at third base, but an early-season call-up isn’t out of the question if he starts hot.
Murphy acknowledged, “I think he has to probably get more [time in Triple-A]. Everyone wants to be on the opening day roster, but even he would admit, ‘I haven’t really dominated Triple-A.’
And not that you really have to dominate it, but in some ways you do. In some ways you got to know like, ‘Wow, I can really do this.’”
Williams has also caught the eye of Kai Murphy, Pat’s son and a San Diego Padres farmhand. The two connected while working out with Alex Bregman in Arizona during the off-season.
Recalling the encounter, Williams said, “Funny thing is when I was working out there, Murph was there. And I’m like, ‘There’s the Brewers manager.’
I’m with the Mets still and I was like, ‘Why is he here?’ Kai is like, ‘Oh, that’s my dad.’
Yeah, that’s really funny. He’s like, ‘No, that’s my dad.’”
Williams has quickly become a favorite for Murphy, embodying the spirit of a smaller, scrappier player with an intense work ethic.
“This kid has been impressive,” Murphy noted. “Really impressive.”
Prospect Watch
Cooper Pratt, in his 12th spring appearance, started at shortstop and went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts. Mike Boeve also started and went 0 for 3.
Brewers Spring Training Schedule
Next up, the Brewers face the Athletics at 3:10 p.m. on Friday. Milwaukee's LHP Kyle Harrison will square off against Sacramento's LHP Gage Jump. Tune in on 620 WTMJ.