Yankees Editorial: Yankees Trade Value 30-26

Feb 27, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Mason Williams (97) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

If you’ve missed the first two parts of this series head here and here. The first part has the thought process. Up in the next three spots are three of the Yankees young outfielders not named Aaron Judge (not on the 40-man roster and not a part of the list)

30. OF Mason Williams

The lowest rank of the triumvirate goes to speedy center-fielder Mason Williams. Williams was thought to be eventually patrolling center as a mainstay in the Yankees lineup. Maybe a faster Brett Gardner with more pop. Even coming into last season, Williams was the 75th best prospect in the game according to mlb.com.

In 2013, between high-A and AA, Williams put up a .245/.304/.337 with 15 steals and 24 doubles. You would think the power was coming right? Well, in 2014 the struggles at AA came.

He posted a .223/.290/.304 with five homers, 28 steals and 18 doubles. The Yankees kept him around on the 40-man because of his speed, thinking another team would claim him in the Rule V draft because of that asset.

If he doesn’t get his average and OBP up, there isn’t going to be a place for him. His numbers must improve in his second full season of AA ball. If not, Williams could easily find himself DFA’d after next season in order to get another player on the 40 man roster.

Speed kills, but it can’t be everything.