The Seattle Mariners have several top prospects in spring training camp this year including infielders Colt Emerson and Cole Young, as well as outfielder Lazaro Montes, and each of them is garnering significant attention.
However, one name that is also generating buzz is third baseman Ben Williamson. A solid defender, Williamson has gotten several innings at third base this spring, in part because of the slow return to play of infielder Jorge Polanco. Polanco is coming off left knee surgery early in the offseason.
Williamson has a solid glove and has received praise for his willingness to attack the baseball defensively, and the praise became more pronounced on Tuesday when Jon Morosi of MLB Network put the following out on “X:”
No one doubts that Williamson’s glove is solid, but the part about Williamson providing an offensive boost is certainly suspect. The 24-year-old is a solid .281 hitter in the minor leagues, but he’s never played above Double-A. Furthermore, he has just four professional home runs and 70 professional RBIs. His slugging percentage in the minors is sub-.400, so the idea that he’s a better offensive option than Polanco or Donovan Solano, who won a Silver Slugger in his career, is certainly brow-furrowing.
That said, Williamson could still make his debut this season, but it will likely be his defense that makes an impact first.