Alika Williams - Page 2 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Not starting Friday Williams isn't in the Pirates' lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Impact The Pirates seem to have fallen into a pattern of rotating between Williams and Liover Peguero at shortstop over the past several days. Friday will mark Peguero's turn to start at short while Ji Hwan Bae starts at second base.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Tuesday Williams isn't in the Pirates' lineup Tuesday against the Royals.

Impact After an 0-for-4 performance during Monday's series opener, Williams will take a seat for Tuesday's contest. Liover Peguero will get the nod at shortstop and bat seventh.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Retreats to bench Sunday Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Williams will take a seat after he started each of the Pirates' last seven games at shortstop while going 5-for-20 with two doubles, two walks, two runs and two RBI. Liover Peguero will spell him at shortstop in the series finale, but Williams appears to be the Pirates' preferred option at the position since Ji Hwan Bae returned from the injured list to take over as the Bucs' primary second baseman.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates score five runs in the seventh-inning to cut the deficit against the Cubs, 8-6

Pirates score five runs in the seventh-inning to cut the deficit against the Cubs, 8-6

AUGUST 27, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Gets Saturday off Williams isn't in the Pirates' lineup Saturday against the Twins, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact After collecting a base hit in each of his last two games, Williams will take a seat Saturday against Sonny Gray and the Twins. Liover Peguero will take over at shortstop and bat eighth.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Tuesday Williams is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Mets.

Impact Williams had some big hits at the beginning of August, but the 24-year-old is slashing just .191/.269/.234 through his first 52 major-league plate appearances. Liover Peguero will start at shortstop for the Pirates on Tuesday as Jared Triolo covers second base.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

'He's a shortstop': Pirates manager Derek Shelton taking notice of Alika Williams' defensive prowess Alika Williams had to take the perfect angle to a backhand, make a split-second exchange and fire a one-hopper on the bag — from a jump thro...

AUGUST 11, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Sitting Sunday Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Impact Williams appears to have settled in as the Pirates' primary shortstop after starting at the position in each of the last five games while going 7-for-15 with two doubles, three walks and two runs. However, the rookie will be getting a breather for Sunday's series finale while Liover Peguero shifts over from the keystone to replace the resting Williams at shortstop.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting look at shortstop Williams went 2-for-3 with a double Tuesday against the Tigers.

Impact Williams has started four of the last five games at shortstop, pairing up with Liover Peguero to make up the Pirates' middle infield. That leaves Nick Gonzales as the odd-man out for the time being, though Pittsburgh has shuffled playing time at the positions regularly this season. Williams is regarded as a big-league player primarily for his defense, and he has three hits through the first 12 at-bats of his big-league career.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Sunday Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Williams will take a seat for the series finale after he started at shortstop in each of the past three games while going 1-for-9 with an RBI. Though Nick Gonzales and Liover Peguero will draw starts at the two middle-infield spots Sunday and appear to be the Pirates' preferred options at the positions for the time being, neither player has produced well enough yet to run away with an everyday role. As such, look for Williams to stay involved and occasionally poach starts from one of the two players while he's up with the big club.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Officially promoted The Pirates selected Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact With Tucupita Marcano (knee) landing on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Williams will be called upon to add depth to the Pirates' infield unit. Williams has been impressive during his time in Triple-A, slashing .305/.384/.531 across 148 plate appearances, though he likely won't receive many starts while with the big-league club.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting call to majors Williams is being called up to the Pirates on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Acquired from the Rays in June for Robert Stephenson, Williams has been raking to the tune of a .305/.384/.531 batting line with seven homers and three steals through 36 games with the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis. The 24-year-old can play both shortstop and second base, and he could get opportunities at both spots on the Pirates' struggling infield. He went as the 37th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Arizona State before mostly underwhelming in the Tampa Bay system. He hit .237/.314/.417 in 42 games earlier this year with Triple-A Durham.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes to Pirates in trade The Pirates acquired Williams from the Rays on Friday in exchange for Robert Stephenson, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Impact Williams, 24, has hit .237/.314/.417 with five homers and three steals with Double-A Montgomery this season and has just a .714 OPS so far at the minor-league level. He was a first-round pick in 2020, though, so the Pirates will attempt to coax more out of his ability.

JUNE 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE