Rays' Carson Williams a hit in debut, including homer in win over Cardinals

Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times on Aug 22, 2025

Published in Baseball

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TAMPA, Fla. — The kid was more than all right.

Top prospect Carson Williams made a smashing major league debut Friday, hitting a two-run homer and driving in another run to lead the Rays to a 10-6 victory over the Cardinals at Steinbrenner Field.

Williams, 22, was called up Thursday as much out of need as anything, as the Rays needed someone to man the shortstop position with Ha-Seong Kim (low back inflammation) joining Taylor Walls (left groin strain) on the injured list, and Jose Caballero traded on July 31.

But Williams looked very much like he belonged, reaching base three times — on a throwing error in the second, with an RBI single off shortstop Masyn Winn’s glove in the third and a 410-foot homer to center as part of a 2-for-4, three-RBI night.

Williams became the ninth Ray to homer in his big league debut, the first since Rene Pinto in 2022.

The Rays snapped a four-game losing streak, improving to 62-67, and have a chance, after Saturday’s off day, to win the series.

The Rays also got home runs from Brandon Lowe (his 25th) and Junior Caminero (his 36th), as well as Tristan Gray’s first of the season.

Caminero tied Alex Rodriguez for the most homers in an age 21 season by an American League player, with six ahead of him.

The Rays raced out to a 7-1 lead by the fourth inning, but the Cardinals cut the gap to 7-6 in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for Williams’ big blast.

Williams’ parents, signing scout (Jaime Jones), personal trainer, agent and about a dozen other relatives and friends made the cross-country trip from San Diego and were among the early arrivals to Steinbrenner Field.

Mom Colleen, Dad Greg and others were wearing his No. 77 Rays jersey they had custom-made at the team store Friday afternoon, and excited for what was to come.

“Being his father, his hard work and his effort — first to show, last to leave — and everything he puts into the game and what a great team player he is, this is a dream come true,” Greg said, fighting back tears. “An absolute dream come true.”

Williams, after a hectic Thursday getting from Allentown, Pa., where Triple-A Durham was playing, to Tampa, and arriving in the dugout in the second inning, tried to be relaxed and prepared for his debut.

“I made sure to get to bed at a reasonable hour, just tried to get as much sleep as I could,” Williams said. “Went to breakfast (Friday) morning with the family and the agent. Everybody’s super excited for this day for me. Obviously, me included. It’s going to be awesome.”