That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Three players will lead Philadelphia Phillies’ new core

By Tyler King

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 23: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Nick Williams #5 and Freddy Galvis #13 after hitting a three run home run in the bottom of the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on August 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 23: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Nick Williams #5 and Freddy Galvis #13 after hitting a three run home run in the bottom of the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on August 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Phillies
MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 16: Nick Williams #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Nick Williams

One of the biggest surprises throughout the Phillies organization in 2017 has been Williams.

After a disappointing 2016 season in Triple-A where Williams had regressed as a hitter and showed very little plate discipline, he turned his entire career around by coming into 2017 with a redefined approach at the plate.

Williams was a very impressive hitter through the first three month of the season and on the last day of June, he earned his promotion to the big leagues and has only continued to get better.

More from That Balls Outta Here

Despite one or two rough stretches, Williams has been a good baseball player for the Phillies. He is currently slashing .274/.333/.482 with nine homers and 40 RBIs through 60 games.

The one aspect of his game that he has greatly improved upon this year is pitch selection, which has been evident in his ability to get one base more.

Williams has also proved to be an excellent defensive outfielder, capable of playing all three spots in the outfield. He’s said that he prefers to play centerfield, but he’s also shown that he can make outstanding defensive plays in the corner spots, specifically in right field.

What Williams gives the Phillies for the fu ture is a very good corner outfielder that is above average both defensively and offensively. Williams could theoretically cement himself as the No. 5 hitter in the lineup behind Hoskins. Hitting behind a good hitter like Hoskins could only help Williams as a hitter and allow him to be more aggressive and drive in more runs.

All good teams have that one corner outfielder that can be a force in the middle of the lineup and hold his own defensively.

Next: Tom Eshelman, Scott Kingery win Paul Owens award

Williams gives the Phillies that, and more.

Home/Phillies News