The Pittsburgh Pirates are moving on from infielder Alika Williams, officially releasing him on Tuesday. It’s the latest chapter in a journey that’s had its share of opportunities-but ultimately, not enough production to stick at the big-league level.
Williams, a former first-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Arizona State, came to Pittsburgh in 2023 in a one-for-one deal that sent reliever Robert Stephenson to Tampa. At the time, it looked like a classic change-of-scenery trade: the Pirates were betting on Williams’ defensive versatility and hoping the bat would catch up. But after two partial seasons in the majors, that bet didn’t pay off.
In 2023, Williams got his first taste of big-league action, appearing in 46 games. He followed that with another 37 games in 2024.
Across those two stints, the numbers were tough-just a .202 batting average and a .529 OPS. For a player whose calling card was supposed to be a steady glove and a contact-oriented approach, the lack of offensive production made it hard to justify a roster spot.
The Pirates sent him back to Triple-A for the entire 2025 season, where he put together a more respectable showing. In 122 games with Indianapolis, Williams hit .268 with 11 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, and 42 RBI, good for a .722 OPS. Solid numbers, but not the kind that force a team’s hand-especially on a club trying to turn the corner.
Defensively, Williams remains a capable shortstop who can handle multiple infield spots, and that versatility alone should earn him a look elsewhere. He’ll turn 27 in March, and with his experience and glove-first profile, a minor league deal with an invite to spring training feels like a realistic next step.
But if he’s going to make it back to the majors, it’ll likely take more than just defensive reliability. He’ll need to show he can be at least a serviceable bat off the bench or a plug-in starter when injuries hit.
With the Pirates continuing to reshape their roster and top prospect Konnor Griffin looming on the horizon, the infield picture in Pittsburgh is getting crowded-and younger. Williams simply didn’t fit into that long-term puzzle anymore.
Now, he hits the open market with another shot to prove he belongs.