Phillies Spring Training: Nick Williams Hitting the Reset Button
Williams is one of the top prospects in the Phillies organization
“This is a humbling game. You need to respect it and go out and have fun.” That was Phillies prospect Nick Williams reflecting on a rough 2016 season in Lehigh Valley that led to questions regarding his maturity and future in Philadelphia.
Acquired in the Cole Hamels trade two summers ago, Williams was looking to do too much in the minor leagues in order to live out his dream in Philadelphia.
In an interview with CSN Philly down at Phillies spring training, Williams admitted to placing too much pressure on himself and needing to refocus.
“Last season I feel like I wasn’t allowing myself to have fun because I was thinking, ‘Big leagues, big leagues, big leagues.’ I was taking a lot of the fun away from it because I was putting too much pressure on myself. My approach was, ‘With this pitch, I can get to the big leagues,’ and that’s totally wrong.”
When acquired in the Hamels trade Williams was projected to be an All-Star outfielder who could play in the middle of the lineup. After striking out 136 times and being benched for not running out a ball, Williams said he needed to clear his head and get back to enjoying the game.
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"“I needed to get away, you know, breathe and stop worrying about everything. “I think it was all because I was trying too hard,” Williams said. “I felt like all my troubles went into the same thing and I became overaggressive. I got benched for not running out a ball. I look back and I might have thought it was harsh, but it was my fault. I should have run the ball out. That’s what I call not respecting the game. It sucked, but I had to take the punishment. I did it. It was my fault."
The new image looks good on Williams, who is projected to reach the major leagues in 2017 should his plate disciple improve and his attitude change.
Once veterans such as Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders are moved at the trade deadline Williams is the next outfield prospect projected to arrive. Dylan Cozens needs at-bats in Lehigh Valley, and Mickey Moniak is still a teenager in the lower levels of the system.
Should the Phillies need an emergency outfielder to call-up, Andrew Pullin could provide depth on the bench and Aaron Altherr would most likely play as a substitute.