Williams Rounding Out Game For Ragin’ Cajuns [VIDEO]

Speed kills, and Jam Williams is an assassin on the bases for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Williams stole five bases for the Cajuns last season in 27 appearances, but he also scored 11 runs for the team, largely as a pinch runner or substitute. He’s working harder to become a complete baseball player, but there’s no mistaking his ability to get in a pitcher’s head and affect games.

Pure speed added to his 6’3” frame make him a menace to pitchers and catchers, and he appreciates the thrill of the hunt for every steal.

“I love getting on the bases and seeing a guy get rattled,” Williams said. He watches pitchers’ tendencies from the dugout in hopes to pounce when he’s on the bases, “If he’s two-Mississippi and he changes it up to three-Mississippi, I’m stealing the next pitch, simply because he’s worried about me and he’s just giving me more time to get to second base.”

If Williams wants to see more of the field for Tony Robichaux, he needs to round his game out a bit. Swiping second base is great, but you have to reach first safely before getting that chance.

The raw ability is there for Williams, but he struggled at the plate last season. His .111 batting average in 2015 clearly left a lot to be desired, and the Cajun coaching staff went to work improving Jam’s skills with the bat as a top offseason priority. He will get better at sizing up breaking balls and staying away from bad pitchers (he collected a hit in the opening series against Sam Houston State), but there’s a temporary quick-fix that could get him on base easily: bunting.

Bunting isn’t only for advancing runners, as Robichaux’s teams have proved over the years. Jam’s speed gives him an unfair advantage down the line if he can drop down some sweet bunts.

“Coach has been with me a lot, telling me to get the bunts down,” Williams said. “I’m excited about this year, I’ll definitely be dropping down a lot of bunts.”

Baseball is an incredibly mental sport as well. Williams’ raw ability and athleticism are what every coach would ask for, but sometimes he gets himself in trouble relying on them a little too much.

“Having speed is a blessing, but it can also be a curse in the field,” Williams admitted. “Since I have speed to get there, I try to make this play when really I should just stay under control. If a guy hits a double, give him a double and get the ball in.”

If Williams has to dial it back on the speedometer from 100 mph to 90 to get the results, he will ease off the gas. Coach Robe clearly sees something in the sophomore from Farmerville, Louisiana, and he’s willing to make the adjustments to get Jam to the next level.

Take some time to get one of the most charismatic players on the team, and hear how Wyatt Marks torture him with his slider on a regular bases. Baseball season is back, and it’s Peanut Butter Jam Time.