ROCKWALL, Texas – Jett Williams finds peace alone in the batting cage with nothing but his thoughts and the thundering crack of a wooden barrel. It’s at this facility where Jett spent his childhood alongside his hitting coach Aldrey Rincones, training to become a professional baseball player. So it’s only fitting that this was the place where his life changed forever.

What You Need To Know

  • Jett Williams became the third Texas high school baseball player selected in the first round of the last four drafts, joining Jesuit’s Jordan Lawlar (2021) and Colleyville Heritage’s Bobby Witt Jr. (2019)

  • Jett is only the third player 5-foot-8 or shorter to be a first round draft pick since 2012

  • Jett dominated his senior year at Rockwall-Heath, finishing with a batting average of .411, seven home runs, 24 stolen bases and 43 RBIs

Jett, a state champion and All-Area Offensive Player of the Year at Rockwall-Heath, was selected with the 14th overall pick by the New York Mets.

“I kept taping him. I could just feel his body. He was so tense and trembling because we didn’t know,” Jett’s mother April said. “When it finally happened, all the emotions came out. I couldn’t even say anything. I could only cry for him because I was so happy.”

“Just knowing it’s been my dream since I was a little kid and all the hard work I’ve put into it is amazing. it’s finally paying off,” said Jett. “But I feel like this is when the real work starts.”

The goal is to be a major leaguer by his 21st birthday. To do that, he’ll need to perfect his craft, which is something he’s been working on since he was 11 years old.

“The way he’s focused, the way he carries himself in the cage and the field, it’s amazing because he never has any distractions,” said Aldrey.

“He would [hit in the cage] so much it got to a point where I was like, ‘Jett, honey you’re going to hit again?’” said April.

That drive stems from the chip on his shoulder. Despite his remarkable talent, Jett’s been overlooked for the one thing he can’t control: his height. 

“He’s 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds. You can tell it bothered him a little bit,” said his father Richard. “We just told him you’re not going to be 6-foot-2, 225. So just out work everybody and see what happens.”

“I feel like that’s when my mind clicked,” Jett said. “What they put into my head was more motivation than doubt."

His height is one of the first ways he’s described on major league scouting reports. But now that’ll come after his latest description: first round draft pick. 

“It was pretty surreal taking it all in,” Jett said. “It’s all in God’s hands. I trust him and I’m glad to be a New York Met.”