Nick Williams Vows To Improve

CLEARWATER, Fla.—Nick Williams’ toughest opponent in 2016 was Nick Williams.

“Last season I feel like I wasn’t allowing myself to have fun because I was thinking, ‘big leagues, big leagues, big leagues,’ ” the 23-year-old outfielder said. “I was putting too much pressure on myself. My approach was, ‘With this pitch, I can get to the big leagues,’ and that’s totally wrong.”

After the season Williams “needed to get away, breathe and stop worrying about everything,” he said. “I became overaggressive and gave away a ton of at-bats.”

A second-round pick by the Rangers in 2012 out of high school in Galveston, Texas, Williams was one of five prospects acquired by the Phillies for Cole Hamels in July 2015. While Jerad Eickhoff, Jake Thompson, Alec Asher and Jorge Alfaro all played in the majors last season, Williams stayed at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he hit .258/.287/.427 with 13 home runs in 125 games.

In his final 31 games he struck out 45 times and walked only once while hitting .161.

“All of the guys who I was traded with ended up in the big leagues,” Williams said, “but I realize that they were ready and I wasn’t.

“Last year was a huge learning experience for me—new organization, going to Triple-A—and I did some immature things.”

Benched twice for not hustling, Williams has taken accountability for his actions and vows to improve as he returns to Triple-A.

“I believe I can be a consistent player, a good all-around player and a good teammate,” Williams said, “but I know I have to take it one day at a time. ‘What can I do today?’ That’s got to be my approach.”

The Phillies remain high on Williams, who was hitting .290/.322/.469 on July 29.

“This is a talented kid on both sides of the ball,” general manager Matt Klentak said. “He will need to, hopefully, improve his walk rate and plate discipline, but we’re still very keen on his future.”

PHIL-UPS

• Righthanded reliever Victor Arano was shut down early in big league camp with elbow inflammation that started in the Arizona Fall League.

• Longtime player development staffer Manny Amador was promoted to field coordinator at the Phillies’ new academy in the Dominican Republic.