Paul Williams impressed enough to be high Red Sox pick; Played decade in pros, made AA

After moving to the Mets in a trade for 1991, Paul Williams looked forward to playing his old organization the Red Sox at AA Williamsport, he told The Hartford Courant that June.

He then broke out in one game against Boston's New Britain squad, picking up six RBI, including a home run, The Courant wrote.

"It's a high I get when I play the Red Sox," Williams told The Courant.

Williams went on to see time in four more seasons - 10 in all. He topped out at AA.

Williams' career began in 1986, taken by the Red Sox in the second round of the draft out of Smiley High School in Houston.

Upon being drafted, Williams soon signed and one scout, Milt Bolling, described the catcher Williams to The Associated Press as "one of the best prospects I have ever scouted."

Williams started with the Red Sox at short-season Elmira. He saw 28 games and hit .228. He then moved to single-A Greensboro for 1987. He hit .257 in 63 games there.

He arrived at single-A Winter Haven for 1988 and returned in 1989. He hit .224 his first year there and .228 his second. In July 1989, he hit two home runs in a game. His first home run came in the first inning, The Palm Beach Post wrote.

"That was important because we've been struggling a little bit," Williams told The Post. "We knew sooner or later something had to give."

Williams played 1990 at high-A Lynchburg. He hit .236 in 113 games. He then got traded to the Mets. He played 1991 at Williamsport, hitting .259 in 133 games. He then played an abbreviated 1992 with the Orioles at AA Hagerstown, ending is affiliated career.

Williams returned in 1994 to independent ball at Alexandria. He then played at Grays Harbor, Bend and Sioux Falls through 1996.

• San Francisco Examiner, Associated Press, July 6, 1986: No. 2 pick signs with Bosox
• Palm Beach Post, July 14, 1989: Winter Haven, Ryan win 5-0
• Hartford Courant, June 27, 1991: Williamsport avoids sweep with 12-2 route of Britsox

More: The 1990 Lynchburg Red Sox

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,126
Made the Majors:1,365-33.1%
Never Made Majors:2,761-66.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:556
10+ Seasons in the Minors:337-X