The Tampa Bay Rays have reportedly acquired slick fielding third baseman Ben Williamson from the Seattle Mariners as part of a three-team deal. We will update this article when the trade is finalized.
Drafted 57th overall in 2023 after what Baseball America called a “monstrous senior season” at William & Mary, Williamson rocketed up to Double-A in his first season in the Mariners season, and stayed on the fast track by picking up 295 plate appearances for Seattle in 2025, putting up a 90 wRC+ against
left handed pitching and a 70 wRC+ against right before getting demoted in August.
Like many young players acquired by the Rays lately, it’s a low-whiff/high-contact/low-power approach at the plate, but Williamson’s comes with a noisy, tentative leg kick that belies a power stroke.
If he can hit to all fields it probably works fine.
Williamson has played all but 20 games in his professional career at third base, but with Junior Caminero entrenched, it stands to reason the Rays view this right handed bat as more of a utility man. Will he make the cut? The 40-man is crowded with right handed hitting options, and there wasn’t a clear need for a back-up infielder heading into this deal.
Perhaps the Rays made this deal because they were looking for a more sure handed defensive back up — but he will need to be tested at short just as much as Ryan Vilade will this Spring.
If you’re inclined to think Joey Wendle is a successful model for a major league contributor, Williamson is a good bet, but major league comparisons to Matt Duffy while Williamson was a prospect make me shudder.
Keeping Joey Wendle as the comp, if the price is anything beyond “PTBNL or cash” territory, I’ll be inclined to say the Rays paid too much.
