Nathan
Williams

JUCO Gems: Pitchers, Vol. 3

Strong, durable pitchers body. Physical pitcher that comes right at hitters. Good arm speed with high-three-quarters delivery. Throws quality heavy fastballs in the zone at 91-96 mph, typically sitting at 94, with good tail and sink. Quick arm and tight spin on sharp downer curve at 78-80 mph. Power curve has good late bite, with many grading as plus. 84-86 mph changeup has good deception and sink. Athletic to repeat delivery and throw strikes. Able to pitch in zone with plus stuff. See as a middle-of-the-rotation guy who will log plenty of innings at the Major League level.

Williams garnered Region X Pitcher of the Year honors as a freshman in 2021, when he turned in a string of dazzling performances while leading Flo-Dar Tech to the JUCO World Series. He finished the season at 8-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 52 innings, during which he compiled 80 strikeouts against 20 walks. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander has a strong, durable pitcher's body. He can operate at 93-96 mph but often works in a slightly lower velocity band, emphasizing his control of the pitch over its velocity. Williams can spin his heater up to 2450 rpm, imparting armside run into right-handed hitters. The Mississippi St. commit can also effectively change hitters' eye levels with the pitch to set up his overhand, mid-70s curveball with depth. He rounds out his four-pitch mix with a slider and changeup, the latter an offering that stands to improve at the next level as he learns how to utilize his extension toward the plate.

6-foot-3, 195-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect, large frame, projects to add additional strength to already strong build. On the mound, arm action is short to a high ¾ slot, late break of hands, accelerates quickly, repeats and hides the ball well. Drop and drive delivery, turns body towards second, works on-line, lands square, finishes square to home. Fastball sat 82-85 with occasional cut, feel for. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth to it, showed some bite, 70-72. Changeup, fade action, maintains arm speed, 74-75. Face four batters, allowed one hit and struck out two. Offensively, balanced setup, reverse toe-tap stride, big load as hands drop then head back, balanced at contact. Takes a power approach, when on-time gains extension through the zone and can drive the ball middle/pull, 89 exit velocity off a tee.  Ran a 7.53 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short, quick arm action at first base, gets rid of the ball quickly, 86 across the infield. Good feel around the bag, plays through the ball with fluid and clean actions.