Alika Williams – Pittsburgh Pirates Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Alika Williams, a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has started turning heads in the baseball world since his 2020 draft. Born March 12, 1999, in San Diego, California, Williams landed with the Tampa Bay Rays as the 37th overall pick before making his way to Pittsburgh.

He’s shown off his defensive chops and a steadily improving bat as he’s moved through the minors.

Alika Williams signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020 for $1.85 million, and his net worth sits around that same number. His salary with the Pirates is about $745,000 a year—pretty standard for a young player still finding his footing in the big leagues.

People who follow the game expect his value and earnings to climb as he develops.

At 26, Williams represents a new wave of infielders who blend strong defense with a bat that’s coming along. He built his foundation at Arizona State University, and Pirates fans are watching closely to see how he grows through 2025 and beyond.

Early Life and Background

Alika Williams started his baseball journey in San Diego. His family, education, and a growing love for the game all shaped his early years.

Family and Upbringing

Alexander “Alika” David Williams was born on March 12, 1999 in San Diego. The name “Alika” points to his Hawaiian roots, even though he grew up on the mainland.

His family played a major role in nurturing his athletic side from the start.

Though he mostly grew up in California, his family kept their Hawaiian traditions alive, and that mix influenced his outlook on life.

His parents spotted his athleticism early and pushed him to try different sports. Baseball quickly became his main focus, and his family showed up for his games, cheering him on and keeping him motivated.

Education and Amateur Career

Williams went to Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, where he stood out as a shortstop. Scouts started to notice his defensive skills and the promise in his bat while he was still in high school.

After graduation, he chose Arizona State University—a school with a strong baseball tradition. At ASU, he kept sharpening his skills and focused on his studies, too.

His defense at shortstop kept getting better throughout college.

Williams’ college performance led to his selection in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays as the 37th overall pick. That moment felt like a payoff for all the hours he’d put in.

Adoption of Baseball Identity

From early on, Williams embraced being a defensive specialist. His smooth fielding and sure hands set him apart from other prospects.

During his Arizona State years, he buckled down at the plate, knowing he needed to hit better to become a complete player.

He worked hard to round out his game. When he joined the Tampa Bay Rays organization, and later the Pittsburgh Pirates system, he kept developing as a pro infielder.

Williams mostly plays shortstop but has spent time at second base, showing off some versatility as he works toward a bigger role in the majors.

Professional Baseball Career

Since 2020, Alika Williams has climbed the ranks, showing off his defense at shortstop and working to improve his bat. His road from draft pick to major leaguer hasn’t been easy, but he keeps pushing forward.

Drafts and Minor League Progression

The Tampa Bay Rays picked Williams 37th overall in the Competitive Balance Round A of the 2020 MLB Draft. He came in with a reputation for excellent defense from his time at Arizona State.

Williams started his minor league career in 2021 after the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season. He first played for the Charleston RiverDogs in Low-A and worked his way up.

In 2022, he split time between High-A and Double-A, where his glove continued to make headlines. By 2023, he reached Triple-A with the Durham Bulls.

The Rays then traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he kept working on his game at Triple-A Indianapolis.

MLB Debut and Teams

Williams made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2024, finally getting his shot at the big leagues. At 26 (as of May 2025), he’s now part of Pittsburgh’s youth movement.

He’s shown that he can handle both shortstop and second base, which gives the Pirates some much-needed flexibility.

At the plate, Williams focuses more on contact than power—pretty much what he showed in the minors. He’s been working closely with Pirates hitting coaches to get better at reading big league pitching.

His role keeps shifting as he adjusts to the speed of the majors, and the team is trying to balance his growth with their own needs.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Williams is still early in his major league career, but his defensive skills have already earned praise. His range and arm at shortstop stand out.

In the minors, coaches and scouts often ranked him among the top defensive shortstops in the Pirates’ system. Some of his plays at Triple-A Indianapolis definitely made people take notice.

He’s put in the work to improve his hitting, showing better plate discipline and contact rates as he’s moved up. He’s not a power hitter, but he knows how to move runners and handle situational hitting.

His baseball smarts and solid fundamentals have made him a respected teammate, and coaches often mention his work ethic.

Injuries and Recovery

Williams has dealt with some health setbacks, just like most pros. He landed on the injured list in late 2024 with a minor wrist injury that slowed down his rookie year.

The Pirates’ medical staff played it safe with his recovery, knowing how valuable he could be long-term.

Williams worked with physical therapists to build back strength and prevent future issues.

While rehabbing, he stayed involved by studying video and working on parts of his game that didn’t require full wrist use.

He’s added new conditioning routines since the injury, focusing on flexibility and injury prevention. The whole process showed off his mental toughness as much as his physical skills.

Contract Details and Financial Overview

Alika Williams has navigated the early part of his career with a series of standard contracts. His financial path looks pretty typical for a young MLB player working his way up.

Entry-Level Contracts

Williams entered pro ball after the Rays picked him in the 2020 draft. He signed for a bonus as part of his first deal, which followed the usual Minor League Baseball structure—minimal guarantees, lots of work ahead.

In 2023, the Pirates acquired Williams from Tampa Bay on June 2. That trade marked a big shift in his career but didn’t change his contract terms right away.

The Pirates liked what they saw enough to select his contract on July 25, 2023, which brought him up to the majors (and a better paycheck).

Major League Contracts and Extensions

Williams signed his first big league contract—a pre-arbitration deal worth $720,000 for 2023. That’s the standard rookie minimum.

For 2024, he got a bump to $745,000, still under pre-arb rules. It’s a small raise, but that’s the norm for players just starting out.

Williams hasn’t signed any long-term deals yet. His future earnings will depend a lot on how he performs over the next few seasons.

Bonuses, Incentives, and Salary Breakdown

Williams’ net worth of $1,850,000 includes his signing bonus and salaries so far.

Here’s a quick look at his salary breakdown:

• Base Salary (2024): $745,000
• Base Salary (2023): $720,000
• Signing Bonus (2020): Not publicly disclosed

Williams’ current contract probably doesn’t have many performance bonuses. Pre-arb deals usually stick to base salary.

If he keeps developing as a versatile infielder, he might hit arbitration around 2026-2027. That’s when his earning potential could really jump.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Alika Williams has started building a solid financial base early in his career. His net worth reflects his rookie status, with most of his income coming from his baseball contract.

Sources of Income Beyond Baseball

Williams’ main income comes from his MLB contract worth $745,000 with the Pirates. His earning potential is still growing as he gets established.

He probably brings in a bit more from:

• Performance bonuses (if any)
• Team appearance fees
• Small endorsement deals with sporting goods brands
• Baseball camps or clinics in the offseason

At 26 (born March 12, 1999), Williams has plenty of time to build his brand and value since being picked 37th overall in 2020.

Investments and Asset Management

With a net worth of about $1.85 million, Williams has started laying down a financial foundation. Details about his investments aren’t public, but most young pros:

• Buy real estate in their hometown or playing city
• Set up retirement accounts through the MLB Players Association
• Work with financial advisors who know the sports world

Financial experts usually tell players like Williams to diversify and plan for life after baseball, considering how unpredictable a sports career can be.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Williams hasn’t made his charitable work public yet, but a lot of young MLB players get involved in:

• Youth baseball clinics, especially in underprivileged areas
• Team charity events
• Supporting conservation efforts back home

As a San Diego native, he probably keeps some ties to his community. Players at his stage often start thinking about foundations or signature causes once they’re more established.

The Pirates encourage players to get involved in Pittsburgh-area programs for youth and public safety. As Williams’ career grows, his off-field impact will likely grow, too.

Personal Life and Off-Field Contributions

Off the field, Alika Williams juggles a pretty full life. He focuses on community work, keeps up with personal wellness, and deals with the ups and downs of being a pro athlete in the public eye.

Community Engagement and Volunteer Work

Since joining the Pirates, Williams has really shown up as a community member in Pittsburgh. You’ll often find him at the team’s outreach events, whether he’s visiting kids in hospitals or dropping by local schools.

His days at Arizona State University definitely shaped how he gives back. Back then, he jumped right into the Sun Devils’ community projects and didn’t just stand on the sidelines.

When the season wraps up, Williams heads home to San Diego. He runs youth baseball clinics for underprivileged kids, focusing on more than just baseball—he talks academics and character, too.

“Working with kids reminds me why I fell in love with baseball,” Williams said in a 2024 interview. “Seeing their excitement helps keep my passion for the game fresh.”

Local officials have given him credit for helping with transportation programs. These efforts help families from underserved neighborhoods get to sporting events, which honestly makes a real difference.

Health and Wellness Initiatives

As a professional shortstop, Williams puts a lot into both his physical and mental health. His training includes some pretty creative recovery methods, which have kept him going strong through those grueling 162-game seasons.

He doesn’t shy away from talking about mental health, either. Williams sometimes shares his own stories about handling pressure and joins the MLB’s mental health programs, urging younger players to find support when they need it.

Among teammates, his nutrition routine gets people talking. Williams sticks to a specific diet that keeps his energy up and helps him bounce back between games—especially on those long road trips.

After a minor health scare in 2023, Williams started working with heart health organizations. Now, he encourages young athletes to get cardiovascular screenings, hoping to help others catch issues early.

Consents and Controversies

Williams has kept a pretty clean public image over the years. You don’t really see him tangled up in scandals like some other athletes.

He’s careful about what he posts on social media, which probably saves him some headaches.

Back in 2024, people praised Williams for jumping into consent education workshops with minor league players. He signed up on his own for a program that focused on personal boundaries and respect.

When flooding hit parts of Pittsburgh in early 2025, Williams stepped up fast. He was one of the first Pirates players out there volunteering for relief efforts.

Local officials took notice of his hands-on help during the crisis.

Williams doesn’t share much about his personal relationships. He prefers to keep his dating life out of the public eye.

Honestly, that seems to help him keep a solid line between work and everything else.