Alika Williams #72

Alexander David (Alika) Williams...Was originally selected by New York (AL) in the 32rd round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, but did not sign...Is a 2017 graduate of Rancho Bernardo (CA) High School, where he was a four-year member of the varsity baseball team...Was rated as the No. 44 overall prospect in California and No. 9 shortstop prospect in the state (No. 284 ranked player nationally and listed as the No. 44 shortstop prospect in the country by Perfect Game)... Became the first shortstop from Arizona State University to be selected in the first round of the draft since Deven Marrero went to the Red Sox 24th overall in 2012 and just the third Sun Devil shortstop in history to go in the first round...Entered the 2020 season at Arizona State as a preseason All-America by seven different media outlets...Was rated as the “Best Defensive Infielder” among college players in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft.

2023

Began the year with Montgomery (Rays’ Double-A)…Made 27 appearances (26 starts) at shortstop and 17 appearances (16 starts) at second base for the Biscuits…Was acquired by Pittsburgh on 6/2 in exchange for pitcher Robert Stephenson and assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis…Connected for his first home run with Indianapolis on 6/23 vs. Columbus…Was hitting .343 (23- for-67) with a 1.017 OPS in 18 games during the month of July before being selected to the big league roster on 7/25… Made his big league debut as a late-inning replacement at shortstop on 7/25 at San Diego; drew an 11-pitch walk against Josh Hader in his first plate appearance…Made his first big league start at shortstop on 7/26 at San Diego and went hitless in three at-bats...Had an RBI-single off Aaron Nola for his first Major League hit on 7/29 at PNC Park…Hit safely in six straight games from 7/29 through 8/6. Going 8-for-19 (.421)…Went 4-for-22 in 15 games during the month of September before being optioned to Indianapolis on 9/26…Hit a combined .268 (76-for-284) with 19 doubles, 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 78 games between Montgomery and Indianapolis…Made all 45 defensive appearances (33 starts) at shortstop with the Pirates.