Williams traded to Cardinals

Houma native Justin Williams has experienced the highs, lows and now the business side of being a professional athlete – all in about 10 days.

Williams was called up to the Major Leagues on July 21 where he made his Big League debut, getting an at-bat and playing defense in the late innings of a game against the Miami Marlins.

A day later, he was called back down to Triple-A to the Durham Bulls.

Today, Williams was a trade deadline casualty, as he was part of a trade to the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Rays acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from St. Louis in exchange for a Williams and two other prospects.

If Williams remains in Triple-A, good news for local fans is that he will play for the Memphis Redbirds, who are in the same division as the New Orleans Baby Cakes. 

Williams would be in New Orleans from Aug. 21-23, if playing for Memphis at that time.

But he hopes, of course, to be at the Major League level.

Williams is hitting .258 on the season with 8 home runs, 46 RBI in 94 games. He’s been an All-Star each of the past two seasons. 

Still just 22 (though turning 23 on Aug. 20), Williams was ranked as one of the Rays’ top prospects. 

But his path to the Majors will have to be earned. The Cardinals have plentiful outfield depth, barring any other trades the team makes on deadline day. 

Justin Williams

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