EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Hamels Trade Nets Fightins Thompson, Williams

Published on August 4, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


As the Reading Fightin Phils head down the stretch in their quest for an Eastern League championship, they have added a pair of reinforcements after the Phillies traded 2005 alum Cole Hamels for Texas Rangers prospects Jake Thompson and Nick Williams. The pair will make their Fightins debut tonight when Reading embarks on a three-game series at Trenton as both teams battle for an Eastern League playoff spot.

"We are well stocked at Double-A Reading," commented Ruben Amaro Jr. during Friday's Phillies telecast. "I told our manager Dusty Wathan he can make a good run at the championship."

Both Williams and Thompson are ranked in the Baseball Prospectus Top 50 and MLB.com's Top 100 while Thompson is ranked in Baseball America's Top 50.

A Texas League All-Star, Thompson was 6-6 with a 4.72 ERA in 17 starts for Frisco this season. The 21-year old went a combined 10-5 with a 3.12 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) with 130 strikeouts in 129.2 innings in the Detroit and Texas farm systems. Earlier this season, he joined Fightins teammate Zach Eflin on Team USA during the Pan-Am Games. Before the 2015 season, Thompson was ranked as the Rangers' second-best prospect according to Baseball America. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the second round of the 2012 draft.

Williams comes to Baseballtown after hitting .299 with 21 doubles, 13 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 97 games for Frisco this year. The 21-year old currently leads the Texas League in total bases (181) and ranks second in hits (113) while posting a .341 batting average with runners in scorer position. A second round pick of the Rangers in the 2012 draft, Williams was an All-Star Futures Game selection along with Fightins teammate J.P. Crawford and was rated as the Rangers' fourth-best prospect according to Baseball America.

Thompson and Williams join a Reading roster that now boasts five (J.P. Crawford, Zach Eflin, Ben Lively, Roman Quinn, and Tom Windle) of the organization's Top 10 Prospects according to Baseball America. Tickets to see Thompson, Williams, and the Fightin Phils are available by visiting Fightins.com, calling 610-370-BALL, or by visiting the Fightins Ticket Office located at FirstEnergy Stadium.

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Eastern League Stories from August 4, 2015


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