Former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Praises Rookie Luke Williams
Ruben Amaro Jr. has been a fan of Luke Williams for a long time now.
As the former GM of the Phillies, Amaro drafted Williams in the third round of the 2015 draft. It would ultimately be his last draft as Phillies GM, but Amaro has stuck around as a color-commentator for the Phillies. So, when Williams got called up in early June, Amaro was excited to see his former draft pick make his debut.
Williams delivered immediately, hitting a walk-off home run in his first major-league start.
In the first 16 games of his career, the 24-year-old Williams is hitting .300/.317/.475 with a .792 OPS. He’s 12-for-40 with four runs scored, four doubles, a home run, four RBI, and a stolen base.
Williams is also a versatile defender; he’s played at least three games at second, third, and shortstop, and one game in each of the three outfield spots.
In Monday night’s slugfest against the Reds, Williams went 1-for-3 with a walk. But his bunt single stood out to Amaro, who was excited to tweet about his former draft pick again:
Luke Williams can play on my team any time. That is the way you play the game ! Go @Phillies
— Ruben Amaro, Jr. (@RAJr_20) June 29, 2021
Amaro also retweeted and liked tweets by fellow Williams fans:
Continue to be impressed by Luke Williams. Another bunt single in his 2nd AB tonight, then the heads up tag there to end the 4th inning. Versatile guy, plays hard... seems like the type of guy you can win some games with.
— Sean Kane (@SKaneNBCS) June 28, 2021
I completely agree Rub, guy plays with heart every game, something this team desperately needs
— Mordecai (@kyle_aha) June 29, 2021
Other fans weighed in on Williams during the game:
In this small sample size, Luke Williams seems to be developing into what the Phillies hoped Kingery would be for the team.
— Zach (@Philsphan3433) June 29, 2021
Phillies lose. Bohm had two huge hits. Luke Williams plays the game the right way. Neftalí Feliz is not a big league bullpen arm. Nick Maton is better than half of our bullpen arms. More pain and embarrassment on a Monday. Onto Miami. #Phillies
— Dave The Phillies Phan (@supermegaphill1) June 29, 2021
Thank god for Luke Williams. The only reason why I even turn on the phillies these days.
— Saint Jerry (@SaintJerry13) June 29, 2021
Luke Williams is an everyday player. Kid is solid in every area of the game.
— Freedom (@vcram_3) June 29, 2021
Is Luke Williams one of the only highlights of this Phillies season?
Based on Amaro’s tweets, likes, and retweets alone, you can surmise that he agrees with the majority of Phillies fans who are growing disillusioned, even apathetic. This current Phillies team doesn’t have *it*, but Williams has something. Maybe next year, when money comes off the books and Dave Dombrowski hits the ‘Reset’ button, Williams can be the spark that lights the flame.
The Phillies are now 36-40 on the season, with the halfway point approaching later this week, followed by the All-Star break and trade deadline. The Phillies once again look like a bunch of Mediocre Mildreds, but with rookies like Williams, their future looks brighter.
Related Story. Former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Celebrates Luke Williams Walk-Off. light