PhoulBallz Off-season Check In: OF Nick Williams

Nick Williams, image- Jay Floyd

Outfielder Nick Williams was one of the highly touted players that the Phillies acquired in the deal that sent Cole Hamels to Texas last summer.

Upon arriving in the Phillies organization, Williams was assigned to Double-A Reading, where he helped the club reach the postseason. In 22 regular season games as a member of the Fightins, the 22-year-old posted a .320/.340/.536 slash line. Overall in 119 Double-A games last season, the promising lefty batting prospect sported a .303 average with 17 home runs, 55 RBI and 13 stolen bases.

Williams, a Texas native, took time recently to offer some feedback on his off-season routine and his upcoming plans to visit Philadelphia for the first time and more. Read ahead for that full interview.

-Are you still enjoying some down time or have you gotten back to baseball activities yet?

I am swinging now. I like to get my work outs done in the morning. Or some days I'll go hit before and then work out after.

I'm not swinging every day, but I'm taking some cuts here and there. Just hitting off the tee and soft toss.

-Do you pair up with anybody to get your baseball work done and what facility do you use?

I usually just use my dad or some of my coaches. I'll go, like, if I use a facility I usually go to (the Texas Prospect Baseball Academy) the Houston Banditos, where I used to play, in Tomball.

-How much time do you actually go without picking up a bat and what else do you do during the off-season to stay fit aside from baseball activities?

I actually, I mean, I'm always playing basketball or playing 7-on-7. I'm always doing something athletic. I'm on the go. I'm always doing something athletic where I can compete in some way. But, with baseball activities, I usually go till about the middle of December or January because, for me, I just get in the groove really fast with hitting and things like that.

-I know after Reading's postseason was done, you went down to Clearwater for instructs for a bit. What was that experience like?

I got to meet a lot of people, a lot of the new players, the college players (from this year's draft) and it was a cool experience.

It was good to see everything and get used to the area, instead of coming to spring training and not know where anything is or know where I'm going.

-I know each January, the Phils will host a group of prospects and they'll go to Citizens Bank Park for a symposium and they'll check out a Sixers game while they're in town, things like that. Is that something that you're slated to attend?

Yeah. I'll be in Philly on or around the 10th.

-Is that something that you're looking forward to, in order to get a real taste of the city?

For sure. I still have yet to go to Philly and I don't know what it looks like or anything, so that'll be a great experience.

-From what you've heard about Philadelphia, is there anything that you know it's famous for?

I know all the historic stuff like the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell and stuff. Things like that, but, I mean, I used to be a really big Eagles fan back when Vick and DeSean Jackson used to play for them.

I think it'll be cool to get there, a good experience. I'll feel like a tourist. I'm willing to try and see and do everything that I can, so that'll be fun.

-After being a bit of an Eagles fan, what do you know about Philadelphia sports fans?

They're die hard. They're extreme, man. Every time I tweet about something, Philly blows up, so...

-That sums it up pretty well. Thanks for taking time, Nick.

Alright. Thank you.

Chris Truby Speaks on Santana & Other BlueClaws Matters

On Monday, it was announced that the Astros selected outfielder Domingo Santana as the player to be named later in the late July trade that sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies. Santana, a Dominican born slugger, posted a .269 average with 7 HR and 32 RBI in 96 games with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. The 19-year-old is regarded as a five tool talent and has been ranked among the Phillies' top ten prospects by multiple national outlets. I had the opportunity to speak with Lakewood manager Chris Truby about Santana, the PTBNL list of five Phillies prospects that the Astros had to choose from, as well as other matters pertaining to the BlueClaws, as they enter the final few weeks of their regular season. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview. ______________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE . You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE .

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #4 OF Mickey Moniak

Mickey Moniak, image- Joe Wombough Taken with the top overall selection in last year's MLB amateur draft, outfielder Mickey Moniak has garnered a lot of attention as a highly promising talent in the Phillies' developmental ranks. After signing out of La Costa Canyon High School for a reported $6.1 million, the lefty batting Moniak had a very good professional debut. In 46 games with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League team, Moniak posted a .284 batting average with 11 doubles, four triples, a home run and 28 RBI. Additionally, he showed some speed, swiping 10 bases in 14 opportunities. Following the regular season, Moniak participated in the Florida Instructional League and spent time at the Phillies' training facility in Clearwater, where he worked to add strength and muscle to his six-foot-two 185-pound frame. At the plate, Moniak, who was committed to play at UCLA prior to the 2016 draft, makes steady, hard contact. He is touted as a line drive hitter tha...

Catching prospect O'Hoppe tabbed to join Phillies

Logan O'Hoppe, image- Jay Floyd Please consider supporting my work and via my Patreon page . For a small monthly fee, your patronage will get you exclusive interviews and other prospect related material as well as early access to all of my other content such as this feature. Thank you. On Friday, the Phillies added a pair of catchers to their 2020 player pool. Minor leaguers Logan O'Hoppe (pronounced Oh-HOP-ee) and Henri Lartigue arrived in Philadelphia to help catch bullpen sessions for the team's collection of approximately 30 pitchers. The call to O'Hoppe was extremely welcome as the 20-year-old had been staying as active as he possibly could, working out with other players that have been been waiting out quarantine due to the current pandemic at his home on Long Island. However, he had been very eager to step back onto an actual baseball field. "I just hope I can play soon. Where ever that is or whatever form that is, that'd be aw...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog