Deerfield-Windsor’s Steven Williams selected to play in Perfect Game All-American Classic

ALBANY — Steven Williams was on an airplane heading for a baseball showcase tournament in New York when Perfect Game’s All-American Classic selection show was televised on mlb.com Wednesday.

Williams didn’t see his name announced, but back home in Albany, his parents Steve and Melissa did.

They were thrilled.

“I’m glad to see all of his hard work had paid off,” Steve Williams said. “It’s been a grind on him for the past three summers. He has worked hard. He’s made some tough decision that a young kid shouldn’t have to make. He’s gone all-in on baseball. I’m just proud for his success.”

A rising senior at Deerfield-Windsor, Williams was selected to represent the East All-Stars against the West in the All-American Classic August 14 at Petco Park in San Diego, the same stadium where Major League Baseball held its All-Star game Tuesday night.

The rosters were supposed to be announced on Tuesday during fan festivities at the MLB All-Star Game, but technical issues pushed the selection show to Wednesday.

The Auburn commit has helped Deerfield-Windsor to back-to-back Georgia Independent Schools Association state baseball championships. The versatile standout, who played primarily at catcher this season, batted .524 with 16 doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 49 RBIs and was named the Albany Herald’s Ray Knight Player of the Year.

It’s another big honor for Williams, who played for the 15U Team USA National Baseball Team two years ago. The senior was one of 50 players nationally announced on Wednesday. He is one seven players chosen from the baseball-rich state of Georgia, joining fellow GISA product Cole Brannen of Westfield. Other players selected include Luis Campusano (Cross Creek), Terry Fuller (Griffin), DL Hall (Houston County), Kyle Jacobsen (Allatoona) and Drew Waters (Etowah).

Hall and Waters were selected last week to the Under Armour All-American Game slated for later this month at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Steven Williams could not be reached for comment.

The event showcases the nation’s top high school players and since its inception in 2003, more than 180 players have been taken in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

Proceeds from the event support research efforts for pediatric cancer. More than $900,000 has been raised in hopes of finding a cure. All of the Classic participants are presented with the opportunity to conduct an individual, online fundraiser to help support Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, Calif. according to the Perfect Game website.

Williams joins former Lee County High School and current San Francisco Giant standout Buster Posey as the only two players from the Albany-area to play in the All-America Classic. Posey played in the 2004 game when it was known as the AFLAC All-Americn Classic. Perfect Game took sponsorship in 2011.

Williams’ laid-back approach and humbleness is what many like about him. Deerfield-Windsor coach Jonathan Davis said having Williams on the field is like having another coach.

“His talent is well-documented,” Davis said. “But what a lot of people don’t see is his leadership ability. He has a very calm demeanor and he’s very personable, especially with many of our younger kids. He doesn’t get too high and he doesn’t get too low, and it filters down throughout the team.”