4 highlights that will get Mariners fans hyped for Ben Williamson's debut

With their infield depth tested early and the roster stretched thin, the Seattle Mariners are facing a pivotal moment. Rather than reaching for a quick-fix trade or recycled veteran bat, they’ve decided to look inward by promoting Ben Williamson from their farm system.

It’s a notable deviation from the franchise's more familiar script. Over the past few seasons, Seattle has often used its prospect capital to secure proven big-league talent — think Luis Castillo, Teoscar Hernández, and Eugenio Suárez. While that aggressive strategy has kept them competitive, it’s left fans wondering if the Mariners could actually develop a homegrown wave of players who don’t pitch. There's been Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh, but that's really it.

Enter Williamson, the 24-year-old third baseman who could be the face of a new chapter for Seattle’s farm. And while his bat may still have to prove itself at the highest level, there's no denying what's gotten him this far: a glove that gets a well-above-average 65 grade from MLB Pipeline.

Picked in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of William & Mary, Williamson has already made a name for himself with defensive excellence. His rise has been steady but swift, jumping from High-A Everett in 2024 to a short but eye-opening stint with Triple-A Tacoma in 2025. In just 14 games this season, he’s already turned heads — and would-be hits into outs — with a highlight reel that’s growing by the week.

Before diving into what the Mariners hope he’ll bring to the big-league lineup, let’s take a look at some highlights that showcase why Williamson is such a standout in the field. 

4 highlights that will get Mariners fans hyped for Ben Williamson's debut

Watch how Williamson handles this broken-bat infield dribbler, showing unlimited range:

Or how about another flash of his strong arm, firing on the run after fielding this ball deep at third base:

Still not convinced? Then check out the lightning-fast reaction on this diving grab:

While Williamson may not fit the mold of a traditional power-hitting third baseman, what he lacks in pop, he more than makes up for with his elite defensive instincts. He’s not the guy who’s going to clear the fences 25 times a year — and that’s okay. With today’s version of the Seattle Mariners, the third base archetype has evolved. It's no longer about brute strength, it’s about balance, consistency, and high-IQ baseball. And that’s exactly what Williamson brings to the table.

Through his first 14 games at Triple-A Tacoma, Williamson posted a .281/.317/.333 slash line with 16 hits in 57 at-bats, with eight RBIs and a pair of stolen bases. He’s not crushing baseballs, but he’s keeping the line moving. His approach is disciplined and deliberate, striking out just nine times in 60 plate appearances — a clear sign that he’s putting bat to ball at an impressive rate.

That contact-driven profile is something Mariners manager Dan Wilson is attempting to  embrace this season. With a lineup that has struggled at times to manufacture runs without relying on the long ball, players like Williamson — who can keep pressure on defenses by spraying line drives to all fields — are becoming increasingly valuable.

You want a glove-first third baseman who plays smart baseball, hits for line drives, and finds ways to contribute every time he steps onto the field? Ben Williamson might just be your guy.

While the Mariners haven’t made it official just yet, all signs point to Ben Williamson making his long-awaited major league debut Tuesday night in Cincinnati as Seattle opens a series against the Reds. It’s a moment that could mark the beginning of a new chapter — not just for Williamson, but for a Mariners team searching for answers at third base. All eyes will be on how he handles the pressure that comes with wearing a big-league uniform for the first time.