Donivan
Williams

6.14.17 - Drafted in the 14th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. 

5.31.17 - Illinois State commit. 6-foot, 193-pound, strong, athletically built, infielder. Continues to solidify himself as one of the top position players in Illinois. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has had a torrid spring. Finished the game, 3-for-4 with a run scored and the game-winning RBI single. Takes competitive at-bats, has a plan, looks to use the middle of the diamond and attacks any pitch up and out over the plate. Bat stays flat through the hitting zone, has feel for the barrel and gets extension through contact. Defensively, smooth, confident, athletic actions and a strong arm across the diamond. 2017 draft follow.

4.28.17 - Illinois State commit. Currently ranked No. 8 in the Illinois’ 2017 class and No. 128 overall. 6-foot, 193-pound, athletically built, present strength, defined lower half, high waisted, infielder. Right-handed hitter, hits in the three-hole and finished the day 3-for-4, with a homerun and double coming in his first two at-bats. He also drove in two and scored two runs. In his first at-bat, he drove a two-strike breaking ball into the right-center gap for a double. In his second at-bat, he took a first pitch curveball and this time left the yard to right-center field. Williams, starts from a slightly open, balanced setup, long stride getting back to even, gets off his backside and hits against a stiff front leg. Simple overall approach, doesn’t try to do to much, lets the ball travel, short stroke, quick hands, creates easy bat speed and stays balanced throughout. Stays through the baseball and has the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Defensively, one of the top infielders in the 2017 class. Natural third baseman but plays shortstop for Richards. Athletic, smooth actions, confident overall defender. Trusts his hands, can range to either side, plays under control, maintaining body control. Throws from any arm angle, above-average arm strength for the left-side of the infield. Follow 2017 draft prospect.

Super 60 2017 - Illinois State recruit. 6-foot, 193-pound frame, athletic build with room for continued physical development. Turned in arguably the most impressive infield performance at the Super 60. Listed as a third baseman, but has the athleticism, natural instincts, actions and hands to play anywhere on the infield. Moves with fluidity and rhythm, advanced hands and overall glovework, highly athletic arm, showcasing the ability to throw from multiple angles on the move with accuracy and authority. Was clocked at 90 mph across the infield without much effort. Plays exceptionally on the move, quick glove-to-hand transfer, overall head-turning defensive performance. Offensively, right-handed hitter, clearly has been working on his swing since last look. Hits from a slightly open setup, rhythm in stride/load, generates bat speed through the zone, showed ability to work the middle of the field, inconsistent path at times. Registered 91 mph exit velocity. Also ran a 6.99 60 (NOTE: He clearly ran faster the first 60 attempt, but the laser timer malfunctioned).

10.24.16 - 6-foot, 191-pound Illinois State recruit, shined all-around for the Chicago Scouts Association. Williams is a top-level defender at the corner, as he moves well laterally with excellent instincts, hands and plenty of arm strength (86 mph). He made a sliding play to his right, popped up and made an athletic throw across the infield to edge the runner. Williams also added a pair of singles and stole a base.

6.1.16 - 6-foot, 190-pound third baseman, athletic build, lean strength, body projects well. Premium defender at third base. Arm is loose and carried, advanced raw arm strength, showed a quick and efficient release, athletic arm, had to play from multiple angles and off balance while still showing arm strength. Hands are soft, good actions, feet work well going both ways, well above average range at third base. Showed ability to slow the game down defensively, played composed. Right-handed hitter, has bat strength, loose hands. Longer path, likes to lift, some back side collapse. Aggressive approach, will not get cheated, swings hard and fast, some susceptibility inside. Showed bat strength carrying a ball to center that was not barreled. 

5.20.16 - Currently ranked No. 47in the Illinois Class of 2017. 6-foot, 191-pound right-handed hitting third baseman with a strong, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a slightly open, relaxed setup. Short path to the ball with fast hands. Makes hard contact. 4.59 on the turn on a double in game. Defensively has fluid athletic actions with plus body control. Strong arm across the infield with carry. Made a play coming in on a chopper, swiping at the ball and popping it in the air to himself, bare handing it and making the play at first on the run.

2.14.16 - 6-foot, 191-pound infield/outfielder, solid build with strength. Defensively showed arm strength all over the diamond, 86 mph across the infield, 89 mph from the outfield, short quick arm action, quick release, gets carry. Shows soft hands on the infield, athletic defender, plays through the baseball. Looks most natural on the infield. Right-handed hitter, open stance, average stride. Gap to gap approach, fast bat, fluid hitter, looks for hard pull contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.16 runner in the 60.

10.18.15 - 6-foot, 187 athletically built right-handed hitting versatile prospect. Showed well in all areas of his game and on the mound. Offensively, short and compact stroke. Fast bat speed and strength through contact. Line-drive hitter, made a lot of hard contact at the plate. Balanced, wide setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride and good balance throughout. Registered an exit velocity of 85 mph. Defensively, short arm action and over-the-top slot from the outfield and infield. Quick and fluid footwork and soft hands. Athletic fielding position, carry on throws, clocked at 87 mph from the outfield and 85 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.01 60. On the mound, featured a three pitch mix, with two different breaking balls featuring two distinct shapes. Quick arm action, some rhythm, on-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball, late life and ranged between 82-85 mph, touching 86.  Ability to spin the baseball. Slider, worked 10/4, tight sweeping action, potential swing and miss pitch, 72-73 mph. Curveball, 12/6 with downer action and ranged between 67-72 mph.

1.18.15 - 5-foot-11, 176-pound athletic right-handed hitting 3B/OF ranked No. 27 in Illinois’ 2017 class, hits from a narrow, open setup, hands load back smoothly, short stride, loose wrists in swing, short, level bat path, impresses with feel for barrel, line drives with up the middle approach during batting practice, 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, threw 83 mph in the outfield from short, quick, high ¾ arm slot with carry and accuracy. At third base, shows same arm strength, 81 mph across the diamond, middle infield actions at third base, soft hands, fields the ball out front, quick, athletic arm action, runs a 7.39 60. Williams’ infield actions could play in the middle of the diamond and his athleticism all over the field makes him a high follow prospect in the 2017 class.

10.21.14 - 6-foot, 176-pound athletic right-handed hitting outfielder/third baseman hits from a narrow, open setup, hands load smoothly, short stride, above average bat speed, slightly uphill path, hands and wrists work loosely in swing, hit several line drives from gap-to-gap during batting practice, 82 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively performed will in the outfield, but really impresses with soft hands and infield actions at third base. Threw 84 mph from the outfield, and 81 mph across the diamond from third from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot with carry. Arm projects to be plus. Ran a 7.23 60.