Is Luke Williams the Jon Berti of 3 Years Ago?

 

Few remember Jon Berti as a 29 Year Old Rookie in 2019 on a Rebuilding Marlins Squad that lost 105 Games in Year 2 of the Derek Jeter/Bruce Sherman "Build". 

In a Season (2019) which saw quote on quote Top "Prospects" like Isan Diaz make their MLB Debut on the Infield & Lewis Brinson receive more chances to stick in the Miami Outfield, it was Berti's ability to play both (and at a way higher level Defensively and Offensively) that caught people's attention in South Florida. 

3 Years later, ironically due to Injuries to the same Berti, along with fellow Infielders Brian Anderson & Jazz Chisholm, 25 Year Old/2nd Year Player Luke Williams has impressed in a limited role for the 2022 Marlins.

Luke Williams' journey to Miami has been an interesting one to say the least. To call Williams, a 3rd Round Pick back in 2015 by the Philadelphia Phillies, a 'Prospect' by 2021 would be far fetched. 

The Philly Farm Hand however was chosen to play for Team USA in last Summer's Olympics (Think Former Marlins Eddy Alvarez 🇺🇸 & Jake Fishman 🇮🇱). Helping the Americans qualify with both his Bat & Glove along with Alvarez, in Qualifying Games that were played in Port St. Lucie & West Palm Beach, Florida.

But before Williams was able to suit up in Japan for the the red, white, and blue at the Tokyo Olympics. The Philadelphia Phillies called-up the 24 year old at the time, who did this ⬇️ in only his 2nd Major League Game.

With the Phillies adding Williams to the 40 Man/Active Roster on June 8th, 2021, it prevented him from participating in the Olympics, but not before leaving an impression with Team USA Manager Mike Scioscia during Qualifying Games. Said Phil's Skipper at the time Joe Girardi; "I got a note from Scioscia about how well he played and how he did things right".

"He's a Mike Scioscia type of Player" continued Girardi last year before Williams' Debut. "He's real versatile, he can run, he can do a lot of different things, so coming from him (Scioscia), it's quite a compliment".

Since Debuting in Philadelphia, Williams was since picked up by the San Francisco Giants this past March, whom he only got into 8 Games with. At the end of May, Williams was Traded to the Marlins for Double-A Infielder Hayden Cantrelle. With the Fish, Williams is Batting .260 with a .329 On Base Percentage over 45 Games.

Berti and Jazz continue to top the Leaderboard in Stolen Bases inside the Marlins this Year, with Williams' 10 placing 3rd on the Squad so far. Scioscia & Girardi weren't bluffing about Luke's versatility either. Since Debuting with the Marlins in June, Williams' has made Starts in Left Field, Third Base, and Second Base.

Berti, like Williams, Played Winter Ball in Australia 🦘 ('Ga day Mate'), and returned yesterday, along with Anderson from the Injured List. Williams however, stayed aboard the Marlins Roster. Reps will be hard to come by on the Fish down the stretch, especially with how someone like Charles LeBlanc has been swinging the bat. But like Berti 3 years ago, "Versatility", Speed, and more importantly an ability to get on Base, are always needed on any Club.