Peyton Williams, a 2019 graduate of Johnston, has shown promise for success throughout his high school career and continues to show promise in college. After attending the 2017 Future Games and the 2019 Super 60, Williams claimed the PBR 2019 Iowa Player of the Year. PBR ranked him 1st overall and 1st in the state and 6th nationally among first basemen for the 2019 class. While playing for the University of Iowa, Williams looks like a potential 2022 MLB Draft prospect. This success has come with advice and experience that has taught him along the way.

 

Williams found the college decision to be an easy one. “I've always wanted to play at Iowa,” he said. “Growing up, I was always an Iowa fan. When they offered me when I was a freshman, I didn't really take that long to decide to go there. I didn't really care about any other offers.”

Showcases can help in the college search process. “I think showcases are great for getting you seen originally...being able to do a showcase like that will put you on [coaches’] map and maybe make them come and watch you,” Williams said.

But they can do more than connect players with colleges. “I attended a couple PBR showcases after I committed,” Williams said. “I was always planning on going to Iowa, but I was trying to set up something for the future. I was kind of trying to get my name a little further out there for something past Iowa.”

 

Peyton Williams 2/3/19

 

Through it all, take the change as it comes. “Don't let the highs get too high or the lows too low because baseball can change so quickly,” Williams said.

And when making the decision, think inward. “Take it all and enjoy it all,” Williams said. “Make your decision for what you want to do, don't let others affect you where you want to go.”

Peyton Williams has shown growth throughout his baseball career and does not appear to be slowing down. And with advice and experience to guide him, he continues to find success in the baseball world.

 

Savannah Dennis is currently a senior at Johnston High School and has been working for Prep Baseball Report Iowa as an intern since October 2020. She has been managing the Johnston baseball team since she was a freshman and has also worked for the Iowa Sticks team as a data collector. Outside of the baseball industry, Savannah is the Print Editor for the Johnston Black & White newspaper. In the fall, she plans on going to college and majoring in statistics while managing the chosen school's baseball team.