Skip to main content

PhoulBallz Interview: Phillies 3B prospect Luke Williams talks Colombian League, Alfaro, more


Luke Williams, image- Jay Floyd
Third baseman Luke Williams is enjoying success this off-season in Colombia following a difficult-at-times regular season with Class A Lakewood.  The 21-year-old has posted a .297 batting average with two doubles, a home runs, 10 RBI and five stolen bases through 30 contests as a member of the Toros.  

In the midst of an eight game hitting streak, Williams is 12-for-29 (.414 avg) during that stretch.

A 3rd round draft selection of the Phillies in 2015, the righty hitting Williams tallied a .216 batting average with a home run, 27 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 115 games this year for the BlueClaws. 

Recently, I spoke with Luke who commented on the competition in Colombia, the difference in cultures, playing alongside Phils backstop Jorge Alfaro and plenty more.  

If all goes well, the experience playing abroad will really help Williams reach the top levels of the sport and he'll be making an impact on the lines on sports betting sites before long.

Read ahead for that full interview.  

-How would you describe the experience in Colombia?  Has it been what you expected?

My experience here in Colombia has been great. I'd have to say I expected it to be somewhat like this. I got to go to the Dominican Republic my first year for a few weeks so I had an idea of what I was going to be going through but unexpected things always seem to happen. It's been great getting to experience a country that is so different than the U.S. Obviously, it doesn't have some of the luxuries that the U.S. has but I've enjoyed having to adjust to the lifestyle here. One thing that cracks me up every time is when we (Americans) are walking down the street everyone just stares like they've never seen a white person before. It was strange at the beginning but we are used to it now. 

-Thoughts on the level of competition there?

The level of competition here is pretty good. You'll see some good young talent and a lot of older players who don't play in the states anymore but reached the higher minor league levels while they did.  So I have definitely been challenged while being here but I felt like I've stood my ground and have learned a lot. 

-Are there any big differences between baseball in the U.S. versus the games down there?  Anything that you like better there?

I'd have the say the game out here in Colombia is a lot more relaxed. I think that has to do a lot with the culture. Everything here seems to be done at a chilled and relaxed rate. It's "tranquillo" (chill in Spanish). One thing here is that you play to win. In the minors it's more emphasized on development, even though we still want to win. But here it's all about winning and if you don't win, the fans will let you know. It's nice to be in that kind of atmosphere again. 

-Does playing abroad give you a better understanding of what some of your organization mates go through, coming from foreign countries to play in the U.S.?  If so, how?

Yes, absolutely. I think the biggest thing is the language barrier. It makes things a lot harder when you can't communicate with the locals. Now I know a little Spanish, enough to get by. But it still is difficult. I can't have a full conversation with the people here. Another thing is adapting to the culture. I was culture shocked for the few first days, I'm not going to lie. The atmosphere, food, people, weather, etcetera are all things you just have to adjust to. And I think we (speaking of himself and teammate Casey Brown) have done a good job of doing that.

-How much of a help has Jorge Alfaro been either between the lines or just adapting to the culture or both?

He's been great in both aspects. It's been great to be able to be on the same team as him and to just pick his brain a little. We talk hitting all the time together just kind of tossing ideas back and forth. It's nice to also have someone you can have a conversation with in English. He also has helped us with the culture as well. The first few days we were here he was giving us information of on where to go, where not to go, and information like that. It has definitely helped to have someone like Jorge on our team. 

-Jorge’s a name that Phils fans know already and are excited about.  Is he just as popular down there in his native country?

I'd say he's even more popular here. Everyone knows who Jorge Alfaro is. If I'm not mistaken, I think he is the first big leaguer from his hometown of Sincelejo, so he's a big deal around here. People are always asking him for pictures and his signature and he always takes time out of his day to do that for them. 

-Most American guys that play in foreign leagues wrap up their time mid-season.  When is your time there done?  Are you coming home before Christmas or playing longer and what about Casey?

As of right now I will be playing the whole season. As for the other U.S. players I am not sure what their plan is. 

-What is the best part of this off-season so far?

For me, just the overall experience. There have been so many days where I just take a step back from everything and think to myself, "Wow, I'm living and playing baseball in Colombia. Who would have thought." My brother and his friend came and visited me about a month ago and all my brother could say to me was, "I can't believe you actually live in Colombia." I am just so thankful for what baseball has done for my life and the experiences I've had. It definitely hasn't been easy and I'd sure love be to be home with my loved ones for Christmas, but this is my life and I'm living a once in a lifetime experience.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Justin De Fratus Interview Excerpts- May, 2011

Armed with a 2-0 record, 3 saves and a 2.95 ERA in 15 games this season for the Double A Reading Phillies, Justin De Fratus continues to make strides toward his goal of reaching the Major Leagues. Ranked as a top 10 prospect within the Phillies system last off-season, the 23-year-old De Fratus was in camp with the Phillies during big league spring training. In 3 games with the Phils during the Grapefruit League season, De Fratus allowed 4 earned runs in 4 innings and took a loss. He did strike out an impressive 5 batters in those 4 frames, however. Drafted in the 11th round of the 2007 amateur draft, De Fratus stood out as a force in relief last year for both the High A Clearwater Threshers and the R-Phils. In 49 combined games at the two levels, De Fratus posted a 3-0 record with 21 saves and a 1.94 ERA. De Fratus continued his excellent 2011 by pitching for Team USA in the Pan-American qualifiers held in Puerto Rico, helping the Americans finish with a 9-1 record. He also posted out...

Bubby Rossman's long awaited MLB debut

Eight years after he initially signed a professional contract with the Dodgers and a five-year stretch playing away from affiliated ball, Bubby Rossman became a major leaguer on Wednesday. Added as a substitute for pitcher Kyle Gibson, who is restricted from travel to Canada for the Phillies' series in Toronto, due to his medical inability to be vaccinated from COVID-19, Rossman took the mound for the first time in the majors. Rossman, who was a 22nd round draft selection in 2014 had pitched in 200 professional games before his one-inning outing in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. In 27 appearances with Double-A Reading this year, the 30-year-old right-hander has performed well, tallying a 2-2 record with a save, a 3.32 ERA and a .200 batting average against.   The embedded video below features a media session with Rossman from prior to opening day this year, in which the California native discusses his journey through independent baseball and back to affiliated ball w...

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has...