Photo courtesy of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers Scrappers outfielder Jordan Williams makes his way across the outfield.

NILES — When COVID shut down the baseball world in 2020, players throughout the country were left scrambling in an attempt to find ways to remain active in the sport.

For Mahoning Valley Scrappers outfielder Jordan Williams, it was pretty much business as usual.

In fact, Williams simply joined up with his father and brothers in Tampa and moved forward with the family business — which just so happens to be baseball.

“COVID was definitely a moment of disbelief, and just from a baseball standpoint it was crazy because my junior college team at the time (San Jacinto Junior College) started out 12-0 and then bang, that was it,” Williams said. “But I was lucky in that I come from a baseball family, and we always practice amongst ourselves. From that standpoint, there wasn’t a need to stray from our bubble. I definitely had it easier than most baseball players during COVID.”

To suggest that Williams comes from a baseball family would be an understatement. Williams has four older brothers who all played professional baseball at some level. Two of those brothers are still active in the game. Javier was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2013 and is currently playing in Mexico. Camryn is playing at the Single A level with the Los Angeles Angels.

Williams’ father, Reggie Williams, played in the MLB for nine years with the Angles and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Reggie’s Big League career ended in 1999, one year before Jordan was born.

“I never got to see him play, but I grew up hearing the stories,” Williams said. “My dad hit a home run in his first-ever game at Yankee Stadium. I know he was a big part of a pennant race one year with the Angels.”

“Just knowing all that he accomplished has been a huge inspiration for me throughout my time in baseball.”

In addition to the memories, Williams noted that his father — and his brothers — have provided an immeasurable amount of insight which has guided his own baseball career.

“I always feel like I’m one step ahead, like I got a little bit of a head start because I have gotten to hear and see first hand what it takes to make it in this game,” Williams said. “Working with my dad and brothers, it’s like I have all these extra coaches and mentors. It’s been great.”

Williams noted that the biggest lesson he has learned from his father doesn’t revolve around baseball fundamentals or techniques. Instead, it had to do with focus and determination.

“My dad always says that it was easier to reach the big leagues than it was to stay in the big leagues. That was like a world-breaking moment for me,” Williams said. “That opened my eyes to the fact that you can never rest on your accomplishments. You have to always stay focused and strive to get better every day.”

While it would be easy for Williams to cave into the pressures of trying to live up to family expectations, he takes it all in stride.

“When I was really young, it was a bit overwhelming, but now I consider it a privilege when people know my family background and expect the same results from me,” Williams said. “It just provides me with more drive to succeed.”

Williams, a native of Tampa, recently completed his third year of collegiate ball. He spent two years at San Jacinto, where personal highlights included hitting a grand slam home run to seal a win in the 2021 JUCO World Series.

Prior to the start of the 2022 school year, Williams transferred to Florida State University. This past spring he came off the bench in the ninth inning and recorded a walk-off RBI base hit which defeated Wake Forest. At the time WF was ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Away from the baseball field, Williams noted that he enjoys hiking and being in nature, “but usually if I’m outside I got a stick and a ball in my hand.”

During the COVID lockdown, Williams also became deeply involved in community service.

“I started an initiative that helped distribute food within the community and it was a very rewarding experience,” Williams said. “It’s something that I want to carry on in the future.”

Williams joined the Scrappers early last week and has made an immediate impact. He owned a .364 batting average heading into Wednesday’s game at Trenton.

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