As previously mentioned in Tuesday’s column, last Saturday night I travelled to Bowie to watch the Baysox host the Harrisburg Senators, the Double-A team for the Washington Nationals.  While I am always eager to watch a minor league game with postgame fireworks, I was particularly excited to see Nationals’ prospect Austen Williams face the experience Baysox lineup.  Below are my notes on Williams, plus two future Washington Nationals.

Austen Williams       RHP        Harrisburg Senators

Drafted by the Nationals in the 6^th round in 2014 from Texas State, the 23-year-old Williams is a well-built 6-3 220lbs with broad shoulders and a frame built to throw 200+ innings per year.  Mechanically Williams throws from a semi-windup and a three-quarters release point.  He has above-average arm speed, with a compact, short arm swing and a slight arm stab.  Williams possesses a fairly compact but effort-filled delivery and throws across his body.  Williams also has a noticeable head whack at foot strike, which hinders his command and control of the strike zone.  In fairness, these flaws have improved since last season, but they still exist and damper his overall ability on the mound.

In this start Williams featured a 3-pitch arsenal, consisting of a fastball, curveball and changeup.  His fastball sat 88-90mph, touching 91 three times, with some natural sinking action.  He showed an ability to work inside to both righties and lefties, although his mediocre command left the pitch occasionally in the middle of the plate elevated above the belt.  Williams also had a 78-80mph curveball with 11-5 shape and good depth when thrown well – unfortunately he did not throw many breaking pitches on the evening and was inconsistent on the offerings.  Finally Williams threw a few 78-81mph changeups with good arm speed and some sinking action, although some more resembled batting practice fastballs.  Overall I would put a “45/50” grade on his fastball, a “45” on his curveball and a “40” on his changeup, with below-average to fringe-average command.

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Short Hops

Surprisingly Nationals top prospect and Harrisburg starting shortstop SS Wilmer Difo was removed during the 5^th inning, with the chatter being he was replaced due to lack of hustle.  While this is mere speculation, if true, this would be the second time this season Difo has replaced mid-game, leading to possible makeup questions if this becomes a trend.  It’s worth noting that Difo started Sunday’s game, likely eliminating injury as the reason for his departure from the game.

Finally on a positive note, CF Rafael Bautista is showing an improved eye at the plate and a real commitment to working deep into counts.  In his five at-bats, Bautista collected two walks and saw 23 total pitches, including an impressive eight pitch walk in the 3^rd inning.  Bautista now has 13 walks and a .448 on-base percentage through 51 at-bats this season: including his 9 stolen bases so far, Bautista is obviously embracing his role as a leadoff hitter and offensive igniter in 2016.

* Thanks to Matt Wilson and the Bowie Baysox for their gracious hospitality. *