Rowland-Smith: The expectations for Mariners rookie Ben Williamson

The Seattle Mariners haven’t had a player make his MLB debut yet this season. That is likely to change Tuesday when they take on the Cincinnati Reds.

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Third baseman Ben Williamson was called up to the big league club before Sunday’s series finale against the Texas Rangers. Williamson didn’t get in the game against Texas, but with the Reds starting left-hander Nick Lodolo against the M’s on Tuesday, the right-handed-hitting Williamson seems destined to make his MLB debut at Great American Ballpark.

What are the expectations for Williamson? Mariners color analyst Ryan Rowland-Smith shared his thoughts with Bob Stelton on Monday during Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob.

Strong defense but questions at the plate

The 24-year-old Williamson was a second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, and he is MLB Pipeline’s 13th-ranked and Baseball America’s 14th-ranked Mariners prospect. With just 150 games played at the minor league level, the College of William & Mary product is set to be the first non-pitching prospect to make his big league debut with Seattle with 150 or fewer games in the minors since catcher Mike Zunino in 2013.

Williamson is touted for his defensive prowess at the hot corner and regarded as the top defender among all prospect in the Mariners organization. Pipeline gives Williamson a 65 fielding grade on the 20-80 scale, saying he “offers elite-level defense at third with a strong arm and excellent instincts.”

The site suggests Williamson is also capable of manning shortstop, where he played 14 games in the minors last season.

With Jorge Polanco, who Seattle is attempting to convert from a second baseman to third baseman this season, dealing with injuries that have limited him to designated hitter duties as of late, Williamson fills a clear need in the infield.

“The Mariners kind of have put themselves in this corner of not having an option at third base that’s a defensive help,” Rowland-Smith said. “So I love the fact he can play defense.”

Related: Seattle Mariners see a lot of promise in prospect Williamson

The big question for Williamson is whether or not he can be a productive hitter in the big leagues. He profiles as a contact-first bat without much power, the latter of which is normally coveted for third basemen.

In 124 minor league games between High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas in 2024, Williamson hit .283 with a .769 OPS, 34 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 64 RBIs. He hit .281 with a .650 OPS, three doubles and eight RBIs in 14 games with Triple-A Tacoma before his promotion.

“He hasn’t played much in the minor leagues, so it’s probably tough for the Mariners to have a full, legit gauge on what this kid can do offensively,” Rowland-Smith said.

Rowland-Smith believes that Williamson profiling as a high-contact hitter rather than having more power with less contact ability could be helpful early on.

“I think that his skill set, I think he’s going to be less exposed early,” Rowland-Smith said. “And if you need to add the power, I think it’s easier. I know it sounds crazy. I think it’s easier to add some more drive in that bat if he has the foundation of having more contact.”

So, how much will Williamson be in the lineup?

“They’re putting him in that category as being one of these ‘plus’ prospects that’s a big priority, not a fill guy, not a guy who’s just gonna fill a spot,” Rowland-Smith said. “… Guys like this, who are in this sort of prospect status that are priorities, don’t come and come sit on the bench just because of the development. So I think you’re gonna see plenty of him.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2-7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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