Mariners rookie Ben Williamson hits first MLB homer
Apr 19, 2025, 3:00 PM
Ben Williamson isn’t known for his power.
But it didn’t take long for the Seattle Mariners rookie third baseman to hit his first major league home run.
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Playing in just his fifth MLB game, Williamson led off the seventh inning on Saturday with a game-tying solo shot off Toronto Blue Jays starter José Berríos. Williamson turned on a 2-1 sinker from the former two-time All-Star and hammered it into the left-field seats, tying the game at 3-3 with his milestone 398-foot blast.
Williamson also had his first career extra-base hit in the top of the fifth, when he lined a leadoff double that bounced off the glove of left fielder Alan Roden on a diving attempt. Williamson then came around to score on an RBI double from catcher Cal Raleigh.
Williamson, a 2023 second-round draft pick, is batting .294 with five hits in 17 at-bats since being called up from Triple-A Tacoma this past Sunday to help reinforce a Seattle infield that’s been stretched thin by injury issues. The 24-year-old singled in each of his first three games, including a 105.8 mph base hit in his first MLB at-bat on Tuesday.
It’s been a highly encouraging start for Williamson, a top-15 prospect in the Mariners’ farm system who is best known for his elite defense. He hit just four homers in 150 career minor league games, but posted a .281 batting average and .775 OPS during his time in the minors.
Williamson quickly rose through Seattle’s system after being drafted out of William & Mary and making his pro debut in July 2023. He’s the Mariners’ first non-pitching prospect to reach the majors in 150 minor league games or fewer since catcher Mike Zunino in 2013.
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