RAY KNIGHT BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Deerfield-Windsor’s Steven Williams remains humble

ALBANY — The list of accomplishments for Deerfield-Windsor junior baseball standout Steven Williams continues to pile up.

From getting selected to play for the 15U Team USA National Baseball Team to being named a Perfect Game All-American, Williams has already been mentioned as a potential high pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

But when the junior was told he was the 2016 Albany Herald Ray Knight Baseball Player of the Year, he said he was humbled.

“Without the team, I wouldn’t be here,” Williams said. “We had guys who should have received this award. Coach Jonathan Davis did a great job of preparing us and keeping us encouraged. So the award goes to the team as well.”

The Deerfield-Windsor standout isn’t known to be brash or cocky. The Auburn commit batted .524 with 16 doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 49 RBIs to help the Knights win their second straight Georgia Independent Schools Association Class AAA state baseball title last month.

The junior played mostly catcher but also played some in the outfield. In previous seasons, Williams also played third-base and pitched. Davis said he had planned to throw him more this season, but the team won many of its games by lopsided scores and Williams wasn’t needed.

The No. 2 hitter rarely struck out and seemed to play his best in clutch situations. He certainly played a key role in getting the offense started — in his own way.

“I’m not a rah, rah kind of guy. … I’m not the kind of guy who is going to stand up and scream in the dugout,” he said. “Hopefully I lead by example.”

Williams’ personality is what Davis likes the most. He said having the junior 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.”

Williams has been dominant in the GISA, and the three-year starter has garnered most of the major awards. With one more season left, Davis said Williams hopes to keep getting better.

“He has set goals for himself and every day is a learning process,” Davis said. “Another year, he has a chance to continue to develop, working on his swing and stuff like that. But he’s very focused and determined. He’s very busy, but he does a great job of balancing his life.”

Williams has been committed to Auburn since his sophomore season. While he wants to continue his career at the next level, he said he’s going to be grateful whether he’s playing professional baseball or college ball.

He spent the past week at the Perfect Game National Showcase in Fort Myers, Fla., and will spend next week at USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C., two prestigious invitation-only events that showcase the nation’s top high school players. Williams said he’s blessed to have the opportunity to showcase his skills.

“Whatever happens, I’m going to be happy,” he said. “Whether I play in college or go straight to the pros, I’m going to be happy either way.”

The junior said he doesn’t take baseball for granted, especially after going on a spring break mission trip to the Dominican Republic where he watched many youngsters play the game, most with torn gloves and battered equipment that would be trashed in most countries.

He maintains a strong faith in God and is thankful.

“I wouldn’t be anything without my Lord and savior,” he said. “He’s the one who blessed me with the talent. Without him, I certainly wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.”