Mason Williams

Williams got a chance with the Reds in late July, following Scott Schebler's move to the DL, and stuck around thanks to Jesse Winker's season-ending shoulder injury and Adam Duvall's trade. But even before Schebler returned from the DL, Williams' playing time started to dissipate, and his at-bats dried up almost completely once Schebler returned. Williams never has hit for much power, especially after his 2015 shoulder injury, and his ability to make contact regularly predictably fell at the major-league level. He just doesn't have one skill that stands out, and the Reds recognized as much in the offseason, outrighting him off the 40-man roster in November.

Williams underwent shoulder surgery in August of 2015, and the ailment sidelined him for the first half of the 2016 season as well. Once he returned, the 25-year-old didn't show much rust and hit .296 in 31 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before ending the year with a callup in mid-September for the final three weeks of the season. Despite hitting for average, Williams has seen the speed element of his game all but disappear, as he attempted just two steals across both levels. The bigger problem for Williams though is that while he's been injured and failed to live up to his once-lofty expectations, several other outfield prospects within the organization have emerged on the major league roster. As a result, Williams will likely have to fight for a reserve outfield spot in spring training and could see the majority of his season take place back at the Triple-A level.

2014 was a disappointing campaign for the once highly touted prospect, as he hit just .223 at Double-A, furthering the belief that the 24-year-old would never live up to his potential. Williams was able to quiet some of the naysayers in 2015, though. After slashing .317/.407/.375 with 11 steals with Double-A Trenton, Williams earned his first promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he then got his first call up to the big leagues by hitting .321/.382/.432. The outfielder suffered a shoulder injury in June that ended up costing him the remainder of the season, but after being viewed as a prospect with plus speed and defense, he was finally able to consistently hit for average in 2015. The problem now for the 24-year-old is that he hasn't really been major league tested – playing in just eight games before the injury – and is blocked at all three outfield spots on the big league roster, so he'll likely start the year as a fourth outfield option or back in the minors.

Perhaps only Bubba Starling can match Williams’ fall from grace in recent years among outfield prospects. As a 22-year-old, Williams spent all of 2014 at Double-A Trenton, and slashed just .223/.290/.304 with five home runs and 21 steals in 563 plate appearances. His numbers ticked up to .259/.308/.367 in the second half of the season, but even that level of production leaves a lot to be desired from someone with his tools. The simple fact is Williams is no closer to being an everyday player in New York than he was prior to the 2014 season. If Williams’ name still carries some value in a deeper dynasty league, a trade would be the optimal route to go, but in shallower formats, it is time to move on.

Williams' prospect status lost a good bit of its luster in 2013, thanks to mediocre on-field performances (he hit just .261 in High-A, and only .153 in a 72 at-bat sample in Double-A) and to off-field troubles, capped by a DUI arrest. The 22-year-old Williams has excellent speed, but is a poor basestealer, consistently being caught approximately 40 percent of the time throughout his minor league career. He also doesn't show great hitting mechanics, as he tends to shift his weight forward too early, which can sap his power potential. Williams can be an elite defender in center field, and he still has the tools that scouts get excited about, but he needs to take a step forward in his return to Trenton in 2014 to regain the hype.

Williams is a toolsy center fielder who moved up a lot of prospect lists this past season, despite having his season cut short by a shoulder injury in August. Williams has excellent speed and good baserunning instincts, and has the bat speed to develop more power as he fills out. Williams is expected to make a full recovery from his shoulder surgery well before spring training, and if he doesn't hit too many developmental roadblocks he should be the Yankees' center fielder by 2015 or so. He profiles as a potential star center fielder expected to hit for average, while offering excellent speed and decent power.

Williams, 20, had a really impressive year with short-season Staten Island in 2011, batting .349 with an .863 OPS, and stealing 28 bases in 68 games.Williams has all the tools you want in a center fielder; the speed is obvious from the stolen-base numbers, the hit tool is legitimate, and he appears to take good routes in the field and play the position very well. While he hit just three homers, his .468 slugging percentage isn't awful. Williams will never be any kind of power threat, but he shouldn't be overpowered by more advanced pitching either. He's a prospect to watch in dynasty leagues, and could see the majors by 2014.