Top draft pick lights up Clinton's hopes CLINTON, Iowa - The lights of Clinton aren't nearly a as bright as the ones in Las Vegas but they look mighty good to Clinton Giant Matt Williams. The third overall pick in June's free agent draft, Williams is settling comfortably into his pro baseball career. "This city is just what I need," he said. "There's nothing here to distract me. I'm just here In June, the San to play ball and with a lot of dis- ants surprised him tractions that's tough. Here, ther- made him the third e's nothing stopping me." ed in the draft. In May, Williams completed a "I didn't expect it successful college career at the shortstop said. "I University of Nevada-Las Vegas scouts since the in May. batting .351 in 57 games. spring that I'd probably By Steve Batterson QUAD-CITY TIMES first round but I was surprised that I was the third one. It was just a thrill to get drafted." The Giants sent him to their short-season team in Everett, Wash., but he wasted little time there, moving up to Clinton after one week. "They said I'd be playing in Class A but I thought I'd be in Fresno (the Giants' other Class A affiliate)," he said. "I was a little disappointed when they sent me to Everett but they made it clear Gi- I wouldn't be there long. they "I figure I might as well start from the bottom and work my way up," the Carson City, Nev., the native said. "What I want to do the here is get experience, improve my of skills and have fun.' the In his first 15 games as a Giant, Williams is batting .276. He's knocked in seven runs and cracked three home runs, although he doesn't consider himself a power hitter. "I've got a lot of things to learn and to work on," he said. "There's not one single thing that I need to improve on; I just need to improve overall in a lot of areas before I'll have a good shot of making it." Clinton Manager Jack Mull doesn't see too much wrong with Williams now. "He's got a lot of ability," Mull said. "I told him not to worry about how his teammates were playing. I said he should just go out and play at his level. He's got a very bright future ahead of him." And Mull said Williams should help the entire Clinton team, which has struggled throughout much of the season. "The one thing we didn't have was a guy to take a leadership role and he's really shown that," Mull said. "Somebody like that can help bring a team around." The biggest difference on the field for Williams has been getting used to the pitching. "In college you'd see one or two good pitchers but here they're all good," he said. Just how quickly Williams moves up the pro baseball ladder is up to him but he is determined to climb. "Hopefully, it will happen quickly but it's all on my shoulders," he said. "I've got to perform and do well. The Giants like young players so I've got with a good organization." Matt Williams Francisco when player select- at all," knew from beginning go in