Giants signed OF/LHH Carter Williams (22.5Y, 6'3" 210) to a NDFA contract, per d1baseball. Played at North Carolina Central, mostly in LF. pic.twitter.com/2HrPG4yGrd
Senior: 45PA .316/.422/.368, 7K%, 11BB%
New England Collegiate League (summer): 177PA .353/.441/.400, 14K%, 12BB%.— GPT (@giantsprospects) June 14, 2020
The Giants began their draft in North Carolina, so it only follows their undrafted haul starts in the former backyard of amateur scouting director Michael Holmes.
After selecting both catcher Patrick Bailey and pitcher Nick Swiney out of North Carolina State, the Giants reportedly agreed to a deal with outfielder Carter Williams out of NC Central on Sunday, the first day those passed over in the draft can be signed.
According to d1baseball, Williams is the first known catch of a recruiting period virtually unprecedented in today’s game; the maximum teams can offer is $20,000 to players who would have been in line for hundreds of thousands in signing bonuses in past years. Thus, teams are selling themselves and the opportunities they offer rather than luring prospects with money.
Williams, a graduating senior from Brown Summit, N.C., could have gone back to school, as the NCAA allowed another year of eligibility for seniors after the coronavirus wiped out their seasons. Yet, the Giants reportedly were able to sway the lefty hitter who fits their profile: In his NCAA career, he slashed .330/.412/.479 with nearly as many walks (81) as strikeouts (85), showing both speed (41 total steals) and some pop (13 home runs). At a listed 6-feet-3, 210 pounds, the frame suggests there is more power in the bat. They did not use one of their seven draft picks on an outfielder.
The Giants are expected to land more undrafted free agents in the coming days.