ROYSE CITY, Texas — Off the highway Royse City, Texas, sits a non-descript building reminiscent of an oversized storage shed.
The gravel parking lot is lined with high-end vehicles you'd be more accustomed to seeing 30 miles west in Dallas. Approach the entrance, and the echoes of wood and leather seep through the door.
Established in 2020, 7AR Clubhouse Academy is a baseball training facility for kids, teenagers and adults. It's also home to some college players, minor leaguers and major leaguers during the offseason.
On a Wednesday in mid-February, co-founder and hitting coach Aldrey Rincones stands behind the L-screen in the front cage and fires off dozens of pitches.
Behind the plate is a 20-year-old who Rincones has been working with for more than a decade: Jett Williams. Two years ago, Williams was a star senior at Rockwall-Heath High School. Now, the would-be college sophomore is the No. 1 prospect for the New York Mets, according to Baseball America and The Athletic.
“I’ve never been No. 1 at anything," Williams admitted. "I’m always the person trying to get to No. 1.”
"That's what we're most proud of," explained Rich Williams, Jett's father. "How humble he is. How hard he works. How he hasn't let any of the success define who he is and continues to be a great kid."
After he was drafted 14th overall by the Mets in 2022, Jett Williams told WFAA's Jonah Javad his goal was to reach the big leagues in three years (2025).
He may reach the bigs faster than he thought.
In his first minor league season, he elevated through three levels – from Low A to High A to Double A. The meteoric rise and constant success earned him the Mets Minor League Player of the Year Award. Thus, his previous goal has been amended.
Jett Williams is on a mission to make his MLB debut in 2024. This month, he can take a major step toward the majors. Jett Williams received an invite to Mets spring training this year – his first big league spring training.
In early February, Jett Williams joined Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor – "one of his idols growing up" – in Port Saint Lucie, Fla., to get some early work in with other infielders before pitchers and catchers report.
"Just picking [Lindor's] brain and what to expect from the clubhouse," Jett Williams said. "It's kind of surreal. I watched this guy play my whole life and I'm standing right beside him. We're most likely going to be teammates one day. Probably rolling it up at some point."
A shortstop in high school, Jett Williams' path to the Mets lineup would likely be at second base or in the outfield.
"He’s happy [about the Spring Training invite], but he feels like he can play with them," noted April Williams, Jett's mother. "When he was little he thought he could play with the big boys.”
As the youngest of four children, Jett Williams found comfort and confidence as a kid, in the company his older siblings.
"My oldest brother [RJ] played baseball [at UT-Arlington] so growing up I always wanted to be like him," Jett Williams said.
A young Jett immersed himself in the baseball game atmosphere.
"He was always in the [UTA] dugout with RJ and the big boys," April Williams added. "So, he always felt like he was a part of that and could do it.”
That belief has driven him to new heights, but his own height has fueled the critics. At 5 feet, 6 inches tall – Jett Williams is the shortest prospect in the MLB Top 100 ... by two inches. Yet, he's still ranked 45th in the MLB Top 100 and up to 30th in The Athletic Top 100 Prospects.
"To me, I think I should be ranked in the top 20, top 10," Jett Williams asserted. "But, I think they don’t do it because I’m the smallest. I’m not really that tall kid.”
If he was 6 feet, 3 inches tall, would he big a top 5 prospect?
“I think I would be the number one prospect," Jett Williams replied. "If I was over six feet, yes.”
Back home for the offseason, Jett Williams has made the near-daily, 10-mile drive from Heath to Royse City to train with Rincones.
"Me working with him for a longtime, I can tell you: He’s different," Rincones declared.
But, the goal remains the same.
"Just don’t disappoint my little me,” Jett Williams smiled.
The little kid with big dreams.
"It's hard to put into words," Jett Williams reflected. "Ever since I could walk and put a baseball in my hand, I’ve wanted to be in the big leagues.”
Jett Williams is ready to take off.
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