Williams was a first-round pick back in 2021 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the slickest defensive prospects in the minors. With Ha-Seong Kim placed on the injured list due to recurring back issues, Tampa Bay wasted no time giving their young shortstop a shot.

For the Tampa Bay Rays, they need to get really serious about making some inroads on an MLB postseason spot. It's come to put-up-or-shut-up time as the Rays will open a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.

The St. Louis Cardinals face the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a 3-game set at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Thursday.