Austen Williams
| IP | 10 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 10.8 |
| WHIP | 2.2 |
| BB/9 | 6.3 |
| SO/9 | 8.1 |
- Full name Austen Thomas Williams
- Born 12/19/1992 in Ft Worth, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Texas State
- Debut 09/02/2018
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Drafted in the 6th round (184th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2014 (signed for $233,000).
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Williams emerged as Texas State's top starter early in the season in his first year in the weekend rotation. He's strong and well built at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, and he came out of the chute throwing very well, with a 90-94 mph fastball at times. His velocity backed up to the 88-91 mph range, though the pitch has arm-side run, while he surpassed 90 innings for the first time. Williams has some effort in his delivery, but he stays on top of his 11-to-5 slider with depth and late action when he stays within himself. He has similar life on his changeup. He likely projects as a reliever unless his delivery gets smoother.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Williams didn't start pitching regularly until his senior year of high school and then didn't join the rotation at Texas State until his junior season. His first full season at low Class A Hagerstown in 2015 was successful, however. He earned South Atlantic League all-star honors and a midseason promotion to high Class A Potomac. Williams throws his fastball in the low 90s and touches 94 mph with heavy sinking action. He gets good depth on his curveball, which has the potential to give him a second above-average offering. While his changeup has made strides in pro ball, it lags behind his other two pitches, and he'll need to improve it to remain a starter. He isn't afraid to come after hitters and pounds the strike zone with his full arsenal. Williams earns praise for his mound presence and competitiveness, and the Nationals felt good enough about his mental toughness to give him a spot start at Triple-A Syracuse when the Chiefs needed a starter. He will face another significant test as he advances to Double-A Harrisburg in 2016.
Draft Prospects
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Williams emerged as Texas State's top starter early in the season in his first year in the weekend rotation. He's strong and well built at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, and he came out of the chute throwing very well, with a 90-94 mph fastball at times. His velocity backed up to the 88-91 mph range, though the pitch has arm-side run, while he surpassed 90 innings for the first time. Williams has some effort in his delivery, but he stays on top of his 11-to-5 slider with depth and late action when he stays within himself. He has similar life on his changeup. He likely projects as a reliever unless his delivery gets smoother.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A big, physical righthander taken in the sixth round of the 2014 draft, Williams moved quickly in his first full season as he began at low Class A Hagerstown, finished at Potomac and made a spot start at Triple-A Syracuse. Williams opens his repertoire with a heavy fastball in the low 90s with a peak velocity of 94 mph. He couples that with a high-70s, low-80s slider as well as a changeup in the low 80s that ranks as a clear third pitch right now. His command is below-average right now, a problem which stems from failing to repeat his mechanics. He flies open with his front shoulder at times, and also will land open at impact. He also has a wrist wrap in the back of his takeaway. These quirks are fixable, however, and Williams' size and three-pitch mix give scouts reason to believe he has a mid-rotation starter ceiling and reliever floor.
