Phillies reportedly promote Nick Williams to major-leagues
By John Town
Get out your bells and whistles because the Phillies have reportedly called up outfield prospect Nick Williams to the major-leagues.
The Phillies have finally answered the call to promote some of their top prospects to the major-leagues. According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, Nick Williams is on his way to New York City to join the team when they face the Mets Friday night.
MLB.com and Baseball America both rank Williams as the No. 4 prospect in the organization. Fangraphs ranks Williams as the No. 13 prospect in the farm system.
Of course, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com threw some water on the fire, stating that the Williams promotion may only last for a couple days. He said it is “not necessarily a long term thing”.
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Salisbury pointed out that Williams’ promotion likely means that Howie Kendrick is headed to the disabled list with his hamstring injury. Kendrick has not served as anything more than a designated hitter or pinch-hitter since June 21.
This is Kendrick’s second time on the disabled list this season. He missed six weeks early on with a strained oblique. With multiple injuries, Kendrick’s trade value is disappearing.
Williams has definitely turned it around from his mediocre 2016 campaign in Triple-A. In 78 games with the IronPigs, he has a .280/.328/.511 line with 15 home runs and 44 RBI. His walk rate of 5.3% is the highest since his 2015 stint with the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders.
One thing that Williams will always struggle with is striking out. His 29.5% strikeout rate this season is the highest its been in four years. It’s something the fans will have to accept about his game, willing or not.
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How much playing time Williams will get upon reaching the majors will remain to be seen. Aaron Altherr and Odubel Herrera are firmly entrenched in right and center field. Meanwhile, Daniel Nava and Cameron Perkins are platooning in left field with Kendrick out. The club has iterated on several occasions that they want their prospects to play everyday, so Williams may take over in left field for the time being.