Rays top prospects prove their worth as Team USA wins bronze medal in Premier12 tournament

Team USA took part in the WBSC Premier12 tournament in Tokyo that began on November 9th. The roster consisted primarily of youthful minor league prospects with some experienced ex-big leaguers mixed in.

Former Rays pitcher and MLB journeyman, Rich Hill was also a member of this squad. The 2002 4th round pick was at least 20 years older than eight players on this roster. This age gap allowed for a great opportunity for the upcoming stars to learn a thing or two.

Among the rising stars on the USA roster were the Rays No. 1 and No. 4 prospects, Carson Williams and Chandler Simpson. They were able to show off the immense talent that the Rays minor league system has raved about over the last few years.

Carson Williams, MLB's No. 4 overall prospect, was drafted by the Rays out of Torrey Pines High School in the 1st round of the 2021 draft. In William's first full season as a professional athlete, the nimble infielder slashed .252/.347/.471 with a team-leading 19 home runs.

Carson Williams was a major contributor to Team USA's bronze medal

The Rays front office took notice of this talented middle infielder, as he was promoted all the way up to Triple-A in his 2023 campaign. His incredible potential and the Rays clear need at the shortstop position were the main factors in his advancement. Now, the young star gets to add a bronze medal to his resume.

During Team USA's run to the podium, Williams hit .258 and led the team with five doubles. His extra-base hits served as a huge boost to this stacked lineup.

Chandler Simpson showed off his speed and great contact abilities

Surprisingly, Chandler Simpson was even more accomplished during this prestigious tournament. The speedy outfielder led the team with a phenomenal .459 average and nine stolen bases in 37 at-bats.

I'm sure this fantastic showing only made Erik Neander and company more excited for his potential in the MLB. The Atlanta native would pair perfectly in the outfield with the athleticism of Josh Lowe and Jonny DeLuca.

Williams and Simpson contributed greatly to the success that this team experienced in Tokyo. In fact, both phenoms carried the club in the Bronze Medal game on November 23rd. Williams led the lineup with 3 RBIs, while Simpson produced two hits and an RBI.

Team USA would go on to defeat the formidable Team Venezuela by a score of 6-1. The future is certainly bright for these talented, young stars.