Skip to main content

BlueClaws Quotables: Shawn Williams talks Casimiro & team's success

Shawn-Williams
Shawn Williams, image- Jay Floyd
The Class A BlueClaws are 10-3 in their last 13 games and have won 13 of their last 18 contests. Currently, Lakewood sits in 2nd place in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division, two games behind the first place West Virginia Power (Pirates affiliate).

Following Lakewood's 4-0 victory over the Power on Wednesday, team manager Shawn Williams spoke with Phillies Nation about a pair of the game's winning pitcher, some of the standout offensive contributors as well as the team's recent success following some roster turnover.

I asked Williams about right-handed hurler Ranfi Casimiro, who notched the win with 7 2/3 scoreless innings on three hits, while striking out six and walking two...

He was awesome. He threw the ball really well. He's been throwing like that all year, but he put together 7 2/3 (innings) and I'm really impressed with his outing. The slider was really good. His change up is always good, but his slider was what really impressed me and over all, stuff wise and challenging the zone, he was outstanding.

Williams spoke on if the wall Casimiro hit at the end of his outing, where he allowed the last three batters he faced to reach base with a hit batter and the two base on balls he issued, could be discouraging and possibly ruin the good outing overall...

I don't think so at all. I just think he ran out of gas a little bit. It just happens. He's pitched late into the game a lot this year, but I don't think, just overall, we'll look at the whole outings and I know he is and overall it was awesome and I thought he threw the ball very well.


Williams also spoke on a big three run inning in the 7th, where three consecutive batters (Deivi Grullon RBI triple, sacrifice fly by Gustavo Martinez, solo homer from Herlis Rodriguez) plated runs for the BlueClaws...

Herlis has got some power and he's shown it this year and that was a big time swing for us to give us that fourth run. But, overall there were really good at bats that whole inning. I thought Grullon with the triple and then Gustavo had a heck of an at bat with the first pitch to get that third run in with a sac fly and hit that ball well. But just good at bats that whole inning, but it was capped off by that home run from Herlis.

Lastly, Williams commented on the team's success since losing the likes of Carlos Tocci, Malquin Canelo, Rhys Hoskins to promotions and others to a trade...

It's just guys stepping up and Sandberg's stepped up and helped us big time. He's been swinging the bat very well over the past moth. Trompy's getting it going here and he's- defensively and everything. Just a lot of guys are stepping up and for me we're doing a very good job with situational hitting, especially on that road trip, we're just getting guys over, getting them in...to me that's how you win ball games. It's just a good atmosphere here. Guys are expecting to win.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular ...

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Prospect Brody Colvin

Recently, right-handed pitcher Brody Colvin was promoted from Class A Advanced Clearwater to Double-A Reading. Prior to the 2012 season, Colvin, who turns 22-years-old on Tuesday, was ranked as PhilliesNation's 6th best prospect . This season, following some ups and downs, it's unclear where Colvin will rank next preseason. Earlier this year, Colvin, a Louisiana native, was removed from Clearwater's starting rotation and moved to the bullpen to relax and improve his mental approach. He did so and returned to starting after a brief time. Through his first two outings with the R-Phils, the 7th round draft choice from 2009 posted a 1-0 record while allowing five earned runs in 11 innings (4.09 ERA). In his last start on Saturday, however, Colvin allowed eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to New Britain. In a recent interview with Brody, he spoke about the transition moving to the Eastern League, his brief bullpen stint, physical concerns from last season...

Prospect Nation 2016: #9 Catcher Jorge Alfaro

Alfaro, image- USA Today Acquired as part of the the return for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman from Texas last summer, catcher Jorge Alfaro quickly became one of the Phillies' most promising young talents. With a powerful bat and outstanding skills behind the dish, Alfaro could become a fast moving performer for his new organization. Originally signed by the Rangers for a reported $1.3 million in 2010 at the age of 16, the Colombia native would make his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League that same year. In 48 games, the righty hitting Alfaro posted a .221 average and a home run along with 23 RBI. The following year, with Class A short-season Spokane, the talented youngster tallied a .300 average with six homers and 23 RBI. In 2012 with full season Class A level Hickory, he batted .261 with five home runs, 34 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 74 contests.