Clemson 1B/C selected in MLB eighth round

Brandon Rink · Assoc. Editor / Staff Writer · Tuesday, June 05 2018

Clemson first baseman and catcher Chris Williams was selected with the 244th pick of the eight round of the MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins.

Williams, who played catcher previously at Clemson before a season-long All-ACC stint at first this season, was announced as a catcher by the Twins.

Williams led the ACC with 72 RBIs and also ranked second on the team with 18 home runs. Over three seasons as a Tiger, he totaled 40 home runs and 161 RBIs.

The 244th pick is slotted $162,100 by MLB. Williams improved on a 31st round selection to the Tampa Bay Rays after suffering a late-season shoulder injury in 2017.

Williams is a fourth Clemson player to be selected in the draft so far, joining Seth Beer (28th, Houston Astros), Ryley Gilliam (140th, New York Mets) and Ryan Miller (189th, Arizona Diamondbacks).

He is a second Tiger drafted by the Twins since 2017, joining former Tigers pitcher Charlie Barnes.

Congrats to Chris Williams, who was drafted in the eighth round (No. 244 overall) by @Twins! #ClemsonFamily pic.twitter.com/HCf6tz7LQt
— Clemson Baseball (@ClemsonBaseball) June 5, 2018

Congrats, Chris Williams! Thanks for being a Tiger and best of luck with the @Twins! https://t.co/8ZP5oXk2ZX
— Jim Clements (@ClemsonPrez) June 5, 2018

In Round 8, we have selected Chris Williams, catcher from Clemson. #MLBDraft #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/vi0fb1o3Y9
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 5, 2018