Sam McWilliams

(Hitting Instructor)

Sam McWilliams was born and raised in Simpson County.  He grew up playing baseball in the recreation league in Magee, Mississippi. Sam accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior the summer before his Sophomore year of high school and from that point forward placed his focus on using his talents to the best of his ability for the glory of God. Sam was an accomplished 2 sport athlete during his time atSimpson Academy in Mendenhall, MS. While at Simpson Academy he set the All-time scoring record in basketball, helped lead his team to two state basketball championships and an All-Class Overall Runner-Up title.  He was chosen as MAIS basketball player of the year in 2016-2017.  In baseball, Sam was selected All-State MAIS his junior and senior years as a pitcher, infielder, and outfielder.  He was selected to the MAIS All-Star Team where he received the prestigious honor of being named the MVP of the All-Star game. He pitched two scoreless innings with a fastball consistently clocking in at 90+ and topping out at a blazing 96 mph.

Sam also played with the East Coast Sox organization during the summer of 2015 where he was invited to play in the Perfect Game in Atlanta, Georgia.

After graduating with Honors from Simpson Academy in 2017, Sam accepted a full baseball scholarship to Meridian Community College. He played exclusively outfield as an MCC Eagle after incurring a shoulder injury in the Fall season that prevented him from pitching.  Sam had a very successful freshman season at MCC where he posted a .404 batting average at the end of the regular season and an error-free fielding percentage. The Eagles had an outstanding Overall Record of 39-13 and had three of their starters drafted in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Sam was drafted in the 19th Round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 MLB draft as a multi-position player.  Sam’s speed really caught the Dodger’s eye clocking in a blistering 6.28 60 yard dash along with an exceptional batting average and natural athletic ability to play multiple positions. At the time of his drafting, Sam was listed as the fastest player in the Dodger organization. The Dodgers concentrated on developing his skills as a solid middle infielder.  In his first short season with the Dodgers, Sam played a vital role in helping the Arizona League Dodgers claim the season championship title. In his first full season in professional baseball he played with the Ogden Raptors batting .291 with 11 home runs and 1.003 OPS.  He was also named to the Advanced Rookie League All-Star team as a 2nd baseman.  Sam was looking forward to an outstanding 3rd year when COVID caused the 2020 season to be cancelled.  2020 turned out to be a great year for Sam off the field because it was then that he met his wife Olivia and became engaged.  Sam was again successful while playing the 2021 season for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in California batting .304/.384/.524 OPS .908 and 14 home runs.  Sam was named to the California League All-Star team and twice named Low A West Player of the Week.  He finished out the 2021 season advancing to High A with the Great Lakes Loons in Midland, Michigan.  Sam also played briefly with the Dodgers AA team Tulsa Drillers during the 2019 regular season.

During the off-season of 2021, Sam served as an assistant coach for the Jackson Academy Raiders varsity baseball team and also served as a coach for the East Coast Sox during the Summer of 2023 where he had the opportunity to invest and mentor young players and give back to the sport of baseball.

Sam completed the 2022 MLB Spring Training before deciding to come home and start a family in Gulfport, MS.  Sam currently is the CEO and Founder of Rising Stars Baseball Organization, LLC.  based in his hometown of Magee, Mississippi. He has 9 travel ball teams in the Rising Stars Organization ranging from the age of 7U – 13U.  He also stays very busy giving private lessons to up and coming players from all over the South Mississippi area.

Sam and his wife Olivia have a two-year old little girl named Sophie and are expecting their second child, a boy, in April.  The couple make their home in Gulfport, Mississippi.