Phillies: Can anything be salvaged from Nick Williams?
A shortened Phillies season doesn’t help Nick Williams
In this shortened 60-game season, the rosters have lots of different rules and terminology. Each MLB team has formed a “player pool” of 60 players who will be eligible to play for them in this season. On Opening Day, 30 players will be on the MLB roster, at the game ready to play, while the other 30 will be at an alternate training site – most likely a team’s minor league affiliate stadium.
The Opening Day roster of 30 players will be trimmed every two weeks, first to 28 and then to 26, where it will remain for the rest of the season. Each team is also required to bring a “taxi-squad” on every road trip. The taxi-squad will consist of up to three players (one must be a catcher) that can replace any player on the everyday roster in case of injury or COVID-19 related issues.
We know Nick Williams made the 60 player roster pool, but can he make the Opening Day roster?
With 30 players, the roster will include starting outfielders in Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen, obviously. Then, Roman Quinn and Adam Haseley will both be on board as well, one earning the starting CF job. Beyond them, Jay Bruce will be on the team. The rest of the roster would be two catchers, seven total infielders, and 14 pitchers, only two open spots remain.
As much as I hate to say it, Bryce has battled injuries in his career. McCutchen at his age is coming off a rough injury, and Roman Quinn has landed on the DL/IL multiple times in his young career. Another outfielder almost seems obvious to include on the Opening Day 30-man roster.
Nick Williams may have to beat out fellow OF Kyle Garlick, who the Phillies acquired from the Dodgers in mid-February. In their most recent moves, there is only one spot left on the roster, highlighted here by our own George Stockburger.
Williams went 0-1 in their July 18th game vs. the Nationals, and only batted .087 in Spring Training. However, in their intrasquad scrimmages, Alex Carr and Tim Kelly highlighted some positives from Williams.
One guy I just can’t get out of my head from today — Nick Williams.
— Alex Carr (@AlexCarrMLB) July 10, 2020
He showed tremendous power during BP, roamed center relatively well, and gave a great effort all day.
It’s easy to see why the organization is so adamant in keeping him around — there’s a ton of talent there.
Nick Williams was in a real funk, but took off his batting gloves and now has three consecutive hits. Baseball is strange.
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) July 17, 2020