Yankees News: Mason Williams excited about promotion to Triple-A

Jacoby Ellsbury‘s trip to the 15-day DL has opened an opportunity for former first round pick Slade Heathcott to join the New York Yankees and make his major league debut.  Few people had to be happier than fellow former top Yankees prospect, Mason Williams, who was quick to contact Heathcott to congratulate him:

"I want to say I was maybe one of the first people who talked to him.  I told him “I’m so happy for you, I’m super pumped.”  I actually was like standing up in my house texting him."

As happy as Williams was for Heathcott, he surely was even more excited about the opportunity Heathcott’s promotion opened up for him.  Williams was promoted to Triple-A for the first time in his career.

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Williams, who was on the way to Macy’s for an autograph signing upon receiving the call, immediately called his parents.

After a strong 2012, Baseball America ranked Williams as the 32nd-best prospect, and MLB.com rated him 41st.  Following two sub-par seasons, Williams became an afterthought in a restocked Yankees farm system, but he has rebounded in 2015.  He hit .317 (38-for-120) with seven doubles, 11 stolen bases, and 19 walks, for Double-A Trenton.

He has hit a combined .270 with 23 home runs and 96 stolen bases in his minor league career, which is now in its sixth season.  Williams, who went 1-5 in his Triple-A debut, hit leadoff and played center field in a 4-3 victory that took 10 innings.  He was happy with his call-up, which came on the same day Masahiro Tanaka made his first rehab start:

"Definitely a good first day.  Coming in here, seeing Tanaka, playing behind him, and we got the win."

Although Williams, who is unlikely to reach the Bronx this season save for a September stint when rosters expand, is happy with his promotion, he is not satisfied:

"I’m nowhere near where I need to be.  I feel like being around these guys, it’s going to be a lot easier to get better."

Next: Yankee Editorial: Slade Heathcott's Major League Debut More Special Than Most

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