MLB Draft: 2016 Top High School Middle Infielders

Nonie Williams is one of, if not the, fastest high schoolers in the draft. Williams, a LSU commit, is from Turner High School in Kansas. The 6’2” and 200 pound shortstop is currently 17, but will turn 18 in a couple of days on May 22. Williams, like Lux, is not going to be a pick at 22, but if the Pirates like him enough they could choose to go under slot at 41 if they don’t think he will be there at 68, even though a second round pick would be more appropriate for Williams.

Williams is extremely fast, as his speed is his best tool, but his arm is not that far behind. Perfect Game has him in the 98.9 percentile for the 60 yard dash, as he ran a 6.51, and the 98.47 percentile for infielder arms as he topped out at 92 miles per hour.

Williams also features incredible bat and hand speed which should allow him to develop into a quality hitter. Perfect game, when using ZEPP hitting, has him in the 99.89 percentile of bat speed at impact, 98.6 percentile of hand speed (max), and the 96.67 percentile of time to impact. When hitting right handed, he stands tall in the box, slightly open, has a medium leg kick, and then he brings his hand forward through the zone quickly.

When batting left handed, Williams stands tall and is open, has a high leg kick, brings his hands back and then through the zone. His right handed swing is much smoother than his left handed swing, and he should become a right handed hitter full time.

Williams likely won’t stay at short due to his size, but with speed and arm a move to the outfield appears to be the most logical, with a chance to move over to second as well. His fast hands should allow him to be a consistent hitter with decent power, but his speed and arm are what really stick out. His overall potential of a Kevin Pillar, an outfielder who has speed and a good arm, despite an average bat.

Next: A taller shortstop who may need to slide over to third