Versatile Jett Williams doing what it takes to reach ultimate Mets goal after last years injury
PORT ST.LUCIE — Jett Williams spent his time away from baseball last season to reflect on life.
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets from spring training For the first summer, he could remember, Williams — the Mets’ top position player prospect — was separated from the game he loved.In June, he underwent a TFCC debridement on his right wrist to repair damaged ligaments and cartilage.The next two months involved a tedious rehab.The lesson he learned?“Just find stuff that you enjoy away from the field, too, because you never know — baseball can be taken from you at any moment,” Williams said.
“Try not to just always rely on baseball, baseball, baseball.Just try to have other identities because baseball is not going to define me as a human so just trying not to make it a be-all-do-all type thing.”Williams, the quintessential baseball grinder, takes enjoyment in golf and said he’s come to appreciate time with his family.
But baseball is the focal point, and trying to fulfill his goal of becoming a major leaguer.With his wrist finally healthy, he returned to play late last season at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse before heading to the Arizona Fall League.The 21-year-old infielder — who is also playing center field to increase his versatility — is trying this spring to leave another positive impression on Mets officials.Last year, in his first major league camp, the 5-foot-6 Williams became a fast favorite of manager Carlos Mendoza and the coaching staff.“He carried himself like a big leaguer,” Mendoza said.
“He went through a lot last year and you watch him in the clubhouse like he belongs here.I want to see him be himself — go out there, control the strike zone, do damage.
He’s got good bat-to-ball skills, run the bases and play defense, too.”Mendoza added that he’s seen Williams take grounders at second base, but no...