3 current, ex-Phillies join Team USA for Olympics qualifier
By Matt Rappa
2. Luke Williams
Six years ago, the Phillies drafted infield prospect Luke Williams in the third round of the amateur draft out of the California-based Dana Hills High School.
Williams played 22 games this past spring training, slashing .211/.362/.395 with one double, two home runs, eight RBI, nine walks, and 12 strikeouts spanning 38 at-bats. So far in 18 games this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the Illinois native is slashing an impressive .352/.439/.465 with four doubles, two triples, eight RBI, 10 walks, and 19 strikeouts spanning 71 at-bats.
Williams has mostly played at the hot corner in his professional career, but has also recently gained experience playing second base, shortstop, and all three outfield positions. Therefore, the 24-year-old would be a valuable versatile option on the 2021 Team USA roster. Recently signed veteran Ruben Tejada, as well as C.J. Chatham — acquired via trade from the Boston Red Sox this past offseason — will fill the void left by Williams on the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs roster.
With Spencer Howard recently “graduating” as a Phillies top 30 prospects, Williams has replaced the right-handed pitcher on the list put together by MLB Pipeline. The site writes that Williams continues to use his plus speed, adding: “He’s never been added to the club’s 40-man roster, but his start in Triple-A in 2021 made that seem like an error that will have to be rectified.”
The Phillies invited Williams as among those on their five-man taxi squad for their first road trip of the 2021 season. So, they surely value his presence at the top level of their minor-league system. It will be interesting to see how he performs this coming week in the Florida tournament.