BRADENTON, Fla. — Alika Williams knew that Jake Mangum had the green light to steal second base, so he took a few steps from third base and got ready to read the throw.
When pitcher Mason Englert’s throw to second went wide of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Barrios, Williams broke for home and scored the first run of the game for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“That’s what spring is all about, getting those situations out of the way so that’s not the first time you’re in those situations on Opening Day,” said Williams, who singled to right field and advanced to third on Mangum’s single. “It was nice to get on base and make an impact on the bases. I hadn’t run like that in a while, so it was nice to break a sweat and score.”
Williams started the scoring, and the Pirates got back-to-back home runs by Yordany De Los Santos and Javier Rivas in a three-run seventh inning to roll to a 4-1 win Monday afternoon before 4,390 in a Grapefruit League game at LECOM Park.
That Williams is even in a Pirates uniform is something of a surprise. He was designated for assignment in February 2025 and spent all of last season at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he batted .268/.329/.393 with 11 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 42 RBIs in 103 games.
When the Pirates released Williams on Feb. 3, it was with the intention of giving him an opportunity to play elsewhere. Instead, he signed a minor-league deal with the Pirates and received a non-roster invitation to spring training. It wasn’t a difficult decision for Williams.
“I love everyone here — the staff, the players — so I’m just pumped to be in this clubhouse right now and help the team in any way I can,” said Williams, who turns 27 on March 12. “I love it here. It’s a good group of guys, a good staff and good energy. It feels a little different, just really good vibes.”
While Williams isn’t likely to make the Opening Day roster, he provides valuable depth at multiple positions. He started 44 games at shortstop and 15 at second base over the 2023-24 seasons, when he batted .202 with nine doubles, two triples, 11 RBIs and a .528 OPS in 83 games with the Pirates. Williams is 3 for 12 (.250) with a double, an RBI and three runs scored in six Grapefruit League games this spring.
“The depth is huge, especially the way that he can play defense up the middle,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “There’s not a lot of guys that can play ‘D’ like him. He’s been having a good at-bats, too.”
Williams also added another position to his repertoire, playing 50 games at third base last season. He worked extensively with Pirates infield coach Chris Truby and field coordinator Shawn Bowman at Indianapolis last season to learn to get comfortable at the hot corner.
“Third base was an adventure last year,” Williams said. “I got some really good experience at third. I felt more comfortable at third than any other positions. … People say, ‘If you can play short, you can play third.’ Third’s different.
“At shortstop, you’re always on the attack. You’re moving forward, attacking the ball, coming in throwing on the run whereas at third you’re drop-stepping a lot, moving back away from the ball. It’s different angles, different spins on the ball so it was just getting used to those angles and spins and moving the feet different but we’re getting the hang of it. I’ll be ready.”
Note: José Urquidy is expected to start for the Pirates against Julio Teherán as they host Team Colombia in a World Baseball Classic exhibition at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday at LECOM Park.