[3] He was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 30th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign, instead enrolling at East Carolina University.

[4][5] In 2018, as a freshman at East Carolina, Williams missed time due to a forearm strain but still compiled a 1.15 ERA over 15+2⁄3 innings.

[13][14] He was named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year alongside earning 2021 College Baseball All-America Team honors.

[20] Williams was assigned to the Lake County Captains of the High-A Midwest League to make his professional debut and begin the 2022 season.

On June 20, 2023, the Guardians announced that Williams would be promoted to the major leagues for the first time to start the following day against the Oakland Athletics.