It would be one thing if Carlos Williams had racked up astronomical stats in one particular skill, earning a new state record related to that statistic in the process. He did that, and then some. In fact, he Williams has now set three state records, with as many as four others potentially up for grabs in the days ahead, depending on his progress at the plate.
As reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal and MaxPreps, Williams -- a senior leadoff hitter and outfielder for Covington (Tenn.) High -- currently holds three all-time state records for baseball in the Volunteer State. The Class of 2013 two-sport star has more career steals than anyone in state history with 182, and also holds a state mark for most consecutive steals without being caught stealing. That mark is currently at 119.
Yet, as remarkable as both of those stolen bases marks are, it’s Williams’ national record that is truly remarkable: He has been hit by a pitch a national record 58 times in four years (the previous mark was 57).
Williams told the Commercial Appeal that his speed is a combination of God-given skill and his own work ethic.
"I've worked hard, but I'm still going to keep working harder,” Williams told the newspaper. “Maybe I can set some more records. I spend a lot of time studying pitchers. I'm always trying to get a scouting report and see who's pitching. And I spend a lot of time working on my jumps and my reads."
Yet Williams’ coach said it isn’t his star’s 6.18-second 60-yard speed that is most surprising; it’s his knack for getting on base in the most painful way possible.
"It's rare for a leadoff hitter to get hit that much,” Covington coach David Sage told the Commercial Appeal. “But it just shows how people have pitched around him his whole career.”
Pitching around him can only go so far toward limiting Williams’ success, as evidenced by his other career numbers. The speedster is currently moving up the Tennessee all-time state ranks for hits (188), walks (100), triples (17) and runs scored (208). With his complete package, there’s every chance that he might slide into a top-3 spot in one of those categories by the end of his senior year, too.
After that, the sky is the limit. The senior also starred as a running back and free safety on the football team and has signed to play at Ole Miss. Yet Williams could also be selected as high as the seventh or eighth round in the forthcoming MLB Entry draft, a position which might change his college football decision.
Either way, it seems safe to assume that Williams will keep on running, and that will make him a valuable threat for whoever he suits up for.
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