Cincinnati Reds: Mason Williams would be perfect utility outfielder in 2019

Mason Williams has been a nice addition to this year’s Cincinnati Reds team and would be the perfect utility outfielder in 2019.

Let’s face it, the Cincinnati Reds have a plethora of talented outfielders. Provided Billy Hamilton returns next season, there are potentially five players on the Reds roster that deserve to start. Mason Williams, while maybe not ideal as an everyday player, would be the perfect utility outfielder for the Reds next season.

Mason Williams came up to Major Leagues after injuries to Jesse Winker and Scott Schebler decimated the Reds outfield. In his first start back in late July, Williams sent a three-run bomb into the seats in right field for his first home run of the season.

Williams came in during the bottom of the seventh inning last night against the San Diego Padres and blasted a solo home run over the wall in right-center field. The homer was just the second of Williams’ season with the Reds, but it shows that the young man has power at the plate.

Williams is batting .301 on the season with a .337 on-base percentage and a .767 OPS. Now, those numbers won’t blow you away, but Williams is not an everyday player. In fact, since Schebler has returned to the lineup, the starts for Williams have been few and far between. Williams has started only six games since August 21st.

The Reds seem very happy with their young outfielders Jesse Winker and Scott Schebler. The oft-criticized Billy Hamilton is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility. The Reds will have a big decision over the off-season regarding what to do with Hamilton.

Schebler has shown the ability to play center field, Phillip Ervin has shown that he can be an everyday outfielder, and the Reds may be forced to find an outfield spot for their top prospect Nick Senzel. All of the sudden, it’s getting crowded out there.

None of that, however, should affect what the Reds do this offseason with Mason Williams. He has proven to be a good pinch-hitter from the left side, a great defensive replacement, and he has the ability to be a spot starter over the short-term at any outfield spot. Williams has played 3 games in left, 6 games in center, and 23 games in right.

Williams, to me, is a better version of former Red Chris Heisey. Heisey was never a dynamic player and didn’t have the plate discipline that Williams does. Heisey was, however, a solid, dependable piece of the Reds team that went to the postseason in 2010, 2012, and 2013. Every good team needs a dependable bat and glove off the bench.

Williams is under team control through 2022 and can provide the Cincinnati Reds with some insurance should they struggle to put together a solid starting outfield heading into 2019. Williams was a top prospect for the New York Yankees when he was coming up through the Minors, but injuries derailed his career. Williams has had a very successful first season in Cincinnati.