The Rays went with a pair of high school infielders with their two selections on Night 1 of the 2021 MLB Draft, but just who are Carson Williams and Cooper Kinney?
Williams is a shortstop from San Diego, who played at Torrey Pines High School, the alma mater of Astros catcher Garrett Stubbs, who Williams told me is a long-time family friend. He is also the cousin of Marlins minor-league outfielder Zach Zehner, who is currently with their Triple-A affiliate in Jacksonville.
Check out his prospect video to see what he looks like at the plate and in the field.
Williams also participated in a wooden-bat championship tournament with his travel team in Fort Myers, where he was named most valuable player .
Check out the highlights!
Finally, Kinney was named the Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Baseball in Tennessee. Here’s a look at some of his highlights.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
