Ben Williamson Bio
Benjamin Andrew Williamson is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut in 2025 with the Seattle Mariners after being selected in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Williamson earned Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year honors in 2023 during his college baseball career at the College of William & Mary, where he established himself as one of the most accomplished players in program history with exceptional defensive skills and consistent offensive production.
Early Life and Background
Ben Williamson grew up in Chantilly, Virginia, where he attended Freedom High School. During his senior season in 2019, he established himself as one of the top high school players in the region by earning conference and regional player of the year honors. His athletic ability was evident from an early age, and his mother, who competed as a college gymnast at James Madison University, provided a foundation of athletic excellence that supported his development in baseball.
College Career at William & Mary
Williamson continued his baseball career at the College of William & Mary, where he played for the Tribe program. He quickly became a cornerstone player for the team, earning First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors for three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2023. His streak made him the first player in William & Mary history to achieve such a distinction, demonstrating his sustained excellence and reliability at the collegiate level.
His defensive prowess earned him the CAA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022, highlighted by a stellar .975 fielding percentage. The 2023 season proved to be his breakthrough year as he posted impressive numbers across the board. He batted .391 with a .513 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, and 49 runs batted in while also stealing 14 bases. His all-around performance earned him the CAA Player of the Year award, solidifying his status as one of the top prospects in the country. Prior to the 2023 MLB Draft, Williamson also played nine games with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the Cape Cod Baseball League, further showcasing his abilities against top collegiate talent.
Ben Williamson Career
Minor League Development (2023–2024)
The Seattle Mariners selected Williamson in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft with the 57th overall selection. He signed with the organization on July 14, 2023, for an under-slot deal worth $600,000. He began his professional career with brief appearances in the Arizona Complex League before joining the Single-A Modesto Nuts for 10 games at the end of the 2023 season.
Williamson opened the 2024 season with the High-A Everett AquaSox and quickly demonstrated his hitting ability by batting .315 over 29 games. His strong performance earned a promotion to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers in May, where he faced more challenging pitching. He adjusted to the higher competition level, hitting .273 with three home runs across 95 games. While he experienced some difficulties against more experienced pitchers at the Double-A level, his defensive capabilities remained consistently strong throughout his minor league progression.
MLB Debut and Seattle Mariners (2025)
Williamson began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, where he continued his solid hitting performance with a .281 batting average and three doubles in 14 games. His strong start earned him a promotion to the major leagues on April 13, 2025. Two days later, he recorded his first major league hit with a single in his debut plate appearance, marking the culmination of his rapid rise through the Mariners system.
He became the Mariners primary third baseman and held the position until late July, when the team reacquired Eugenio Suárez. Williamson showed promising defensive metrics during his time as the starter, ranking among American League third basemen in Defensive Runs Saved. However, his offensive output lagged behind, as he struggled to match his college numbers against major league pitching. He finished his rookie season batting .253 with a .294 on-base percentage and limited power production. Despite the offensive challenges, his defensive value was evident, ranking sixth among AL third basemen in DRS despite spending significant time in the minor leagues.
The Mariners added Williamson to their roster for the American League Division Series, potentially to provide depth while Josh Naylor attended the birth of his first child. Although he did not appear in any postseason games, the experience of being on a playoff roster provided valuable exposure to championship-level baseball. He was subsequently removed from the roster for the AL Championship Series.
Tampa Bay Rays (2026–Present)
On February 2, 2026, the Mariners traded Williamson to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a three-team trade. The Mariners received Brendan Donovan in the deal, while the St. Louis Cardinals acquired several prospects. Williamson joined the Rays organization and continued his major league career at the hot corner for Tampa Bay.
Defensive Excellence and Playing Style
Williamson has established himself as a defense-first third baseman throughout his professional career. His exceptional range and quick reflexes at third base have consistently translated into positive defensive metrics, particularly in Defensive Runs Saved. His ability to make difficult plays look routine and his strong throwing arm from the hot corner have been hallmarks of his defensive game. His defensive value has often exceeded his offensive contributions, making him a player who impacts games even when his bat is not producing at peak levels.
Notable Career Milestones
Williamson’s career highlights include his CAA Player of the Year award in 2023, his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in April 2025, and his first major league hit that same week. His inclusion on the Mariners postseason roster in 2025 provided him with playoff experience early in his career. The trade to Tampa Bay in February 2026 marked a new chapter in his professional journey as he joined a franchise known for developing talent and competing at a high level.
Ben Williamson Career Highlights
Throughout his young professional career, Williamson has accumulated notable achievements at both the collegiate and professional levels. His minor league career showed consistent offensive production and defensive excellence, while his brief MLB experience in 2025 demonstrated his ability to contribute at the highest level despite ongoing adjustments to major league pitching.
College Career Highlights
Williamson’s college career at William & Mary stands as one of the most decorated in program history. He was named CAA Player of the Year in 2023, CAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, and First Team All-CAA for three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2023. His 2023 season statistics of a .391 batting average, .513 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases represented an exceptional all-around performance that positioned him as one of the top prospects in the 2023 MLB Draft class.
Professional Career Statistics
Through June 28, 2026, Williamson has appeared in 99 major league games, primarily with the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays. He has posted a career batting average of .246 with 3 home runs and 41 RBIs. His defensive contributions have been particularly noteworthy, with strong metrics in Defensive Runs Saved at third base throughout his professional career.
Ben Williamson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Williamson grew up in Chantilly, Virginia, in a family with a strong athletic background. His mother was a college gymnast at James Madison University, passing down competitive spirit and athletic ability that contributed to his development as a professional athlete. This family legacy of collegiate athletics helped shape his work ethic and competitive nature on the baseball field.
Personal Life
Williamson maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. His journey from Virginia to the college ranks at William & Mary and through professional baseball reflects his dedication to the sport and his ability to compete at increasingly higher levels of competition.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Williamson transition from promising minor league prospect to major league contributor. After opening the year with Triple-A Tacoma, he earned his first MLB promotion in mid-April and quickly became the Mariners starting third baseman. His defensive performance at the hot corner immediately stood out, as he accumulated impressive Defensive Runs Saved numbers that ranked him among the top players at his position in the American League.
Offensively, Williamson faced expected challenges adjusting to major league pitching. While his contact skills remained evident with a .253 batting average, his power numbers were limited compared to his collegiate production. The Mariners valued his defensive contributions enough to keep him in the lineup despite the offensive struggles, a testament to the premium they placed on his glove work at third base.
The Mariners demoted Williamson to Triple-A Tacoma in late July when they reacquired Eugenio Suárez, giving him additional time to refine his offensive approach. He rejoined the major league roster for the postseason, where he provided depth at third base during the AL Division Series. His first full major league season provided valuable learning experiences on both sides of the ball, positioning him for continued development with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2026 and beyond.