With a lot of moves for the New York Yankees over the last few days, including the demotion of Ramon Flores to Triple-A, the Bronx Bombers found themselves needing an extra outfielder on their big league roster.
Insert Mason Williams.
#Yankees are calling up OF Mason Williams to join the team vs. the #Orioles and go back to full complement of OFs with Flores sent down
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 11, 2015
The 23-year-old will get his first crack at being on the big league roster. After a 2014 season in which he posted a .223 batting average in 128 games for the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees Double-A affiliate, Williams has resurrected himself at the plate so far this season.
In his 54 games played, Williams has posted a slash line of .318/.397/.398 in his split time between Double-A and Triple-A. The young outfield prospect also has drawn more walks this season than strikeouts (27 walks, 23 strikeouts). His resurgence at the plate combined with his above average defensive skills gave the Yankees the confidence to bring him up to the big league roster.
With Flores being sent down to Triple-A to create a roster spot for Brendan Ryan, the Yankees yesterday had Garrett Jones serving as the team’s fourth outfielder. Adding Williams to the mix adds versatility, as Williams has the ability to play all three outfield spots.
When the team arrives in Baltimore on Friday, Williams will not be the only new addition to the 25-man roster for the game. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, the team also has recalled reliever Chris Martin. The 29-year-old right hander will join Esmil Rogers and Dellin Betances as the only right-handed arms out of manager Joe Girardi‘s bullpen.