New York took a little getting used to for prized Mets prospect Jett Williams.
The former first-round pick spent part of his first full minor-league season this year with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones — an experience far different from his upbringing in Dallas.
“Where I’m from, it was just quiet,” Williams said Thursday at Citi Field. “When I got to Brooklyn it was nothing but honks, sirens going off.”
He continued, “The funny thing is the first day I was in Brooklyn, I woke up like five times in the night, just sirens, honking going. I was like, ‘It’s 3 in the morning. What could people be honking about?’ It was definitely different but very enjoyable.”
Playing professional baseball, however, was a smooth adjustment for the 19-year-old infielder/outfielder. Drafted No. 14 overall in the 2022 draft, Williams soared through three minor-league levels this year, ending the season with Double-A Binghamton.
The speedy leadoff hitter batted .263 with 13 home runs, 55 RBI, 45 stolen bases and a whopping 104 walks over 121 total games en route to being named the Mets’ minor-league Player of the Year.
His next goal? To make the Major Leagues during the 2024 season.
“I didn’t think I was going to be moving through the system this quickly, but I feel like it’s very organized, a very good organization to be with,” Williams said. “I love each and every one of the staff members at every level. Just continue to keep working this offseason and get better.”
Williams was at Citi Field on Thursday for a pregame ceremony recognizing all of the Mets’ minor-league nominees, including Christian Scott, who was named Pitcher of the Year.
Drafted out of high school as a shortstop, the 5-6 Williams is the Mets’ No. 3 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He is behind only Luisangel Acuna, whom the Mets acquired in their midseason trade of Max Scherzer to the Rangers, and Drew Gilbert, who came back in the deal that sent Justin Verlander to the Astros.
Shortstop is a crowded position for the Mets, who have four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor signed through the 2031 season. Acuna is also a middle infielder, while fellow top prospect Ronny Maurico is a natural shortstop who has played second and third base since being called up by the Mets this month.
The Mets also used the No. 32 pick this year on 18-year-old shortstop Colin Houck, who is already their seventh-ranked prospect.
This season, Williams played 92 games at shortstop and 21 games in center field, a position he spent some time at during his junior year in high school. Asked where he envisions himself defensively, Williams suggested he’s a team player.
“I enjoy playing shortstop,” Williams said, “But if I need to play second, short, center — wherever best helps the team.”
LUCCHESI SENT DOWN, REYES RECALLED
After finishing his MLB season on a high note, left-handed starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi was sent down to Triple-A on Thursday.
Lucchesi limited the playoff-hopeful Miami Marlins to two runs over six innings Wednesday in an 11-2 Mets win, hours after the Uber he was riding in was struck by another car.
With only a few days remaining in the 2023 season, the Mets used Lucchesi’s roster spot to call up Denyi Reyes, who has pitched as a reliever and starter this year.
Lucchesi, 30, went 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA in nine starts with the Mets this season.
