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Washington Nationals Honor RHP Austen Williams with 2015 Bob Boone Award

September 28, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Woodbridge, VA-The Washington Nationals announced Saturday their 2015 Minor League organizational award selections and named Potomac Nationals RHP Austen Williams the recipient of the third-annual Bob Boone Award.

Washington honored 1B Jose Marmolejos of the 2015 Class-A Hagerstown Suns and RHP Austin Voth, a member of the 2014 P-Nats and 2015 Double-A Harrisburg Senators, as the club's '15 Minor League Player of the Year and Minor League Pitcher of the Year, respectively.

Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, Mike Rizzo, Vice President of Player Personnel, Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Development and Pro Scouting, Doug Harris, and Director of Player Development, Mark Scialabba made the announcements.

Williams becomes the third player with Potomac Nationals' ties to receive the honor after 2B Tony Renda was bestowed the recognition in 2013 following his campaign with the P-Nats, and IF Wilmer Difo took home the Bob Boone Award in 2014 in the aftermath of his South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player campaign with Hagerstown.

Williams, 22, is the third-ever winner of the Bob Boone Award, which is granted annually to the Nationals Minor Leaguer who best demonstrates the professionalism, leadership, loyalty, passion, selflessness, durability, determination and work ethic required to play the game the 'Washington Nationals Way.'

A 6th round draft pick out of Texas State University in the 2014 MLB Draft by Washington, Williams was named a 2015 SAL Mid-Season All-Star after logging an (8-1) record and a 2.10 earned run average over 13 starts for the Suns. Williams struck out 63 batters and walked just 14 men in 73.0 innings while he held opposing hitters to a .243 batting average.

Spanning three levels of Washington's Minor League system in 2015, including a spot start with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs and a second-half stay with Potomac, Williams went a combined (12-8) with a 2.58 ERA in 25 starts. The Fort Worth, TX native fanned 106 hitters and issued just 33 free passes over the course of 139.2 innings while maintaining a .231 batting average against.

Overall, Williams earned a 1.10 WHIP and surrendered only five home runs all season.

As a Potomac Nationals hurler, Williams went (4-6) in the Carolina League while working to a stellar 2.59 ERA and a 1.38 groundball-to-flyball ratio over the course of 11 starting outings.

Williams ranked among the Washington Nationals' Minor League organizational leaders in wins (2nd, 12), ERA (2nd, 2.58), and strikeouts (T-4th, 106).

Boone is a former 19-year Major League catcher who amassed seven Gold Glove Awards and four All-Star Game appearances in a career that also featured a 1980 World Series Championship (Philadelphia Phillies).

The Washington Nationals will honor Marmolejos, Voth, and Williams at a ceremony at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL during 2016 Nationals Spring Training.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS ORGANIZATIONAL AWARD WINNERS

2015: 1B Jose Marmolejos (Player of the Year), RHP Austin Voth (Pitcher of the Year), RHP Austen Williams (Boone)

2014: OF Steven Souza Jr. (Player of the Year), RHP Lucas Giolito (Pitcher of the Year), IF Wilmer Difo (Boone)

2013: OF Billy Burns (Player of the Year), RHP Taylor Jordan (Pitcher of the Year), 2B Tony Renda (Boone)

2012: IF Matthew Skole (Player of the Year), RHP Nathan Karns (Pitcher of the Year)

2011: IF Steve Lombardozzi (Player of the Year), RHP Brad Peacock (Pitcher of the Year)

2010: OF Tyler Moore (Player of the Year), LHP Tom Milone (Pitcher of the Year)

2009: C Derek Norris (Player of the Year), RHP Brad Meyers (Pitcher of the Year)

2008: OF Leonard Davis (Player of the Year), RHP Jordan Zimmermann (Pitcher of the Year)

2007: OF Justin Maxwell (Player of the Year), LHP John Lannan (Pitcher of the Year)

2006: IF Kory Casto (Player of the Year), RHP Zechry Zinicola (Pitcher of the Year)

2005: IF Kory Casto (Player of the Year), LHP Michael O'Connor (Pitcher of the Year)

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. Potomac Nationals 2016 season tickets and mini plans are now on sale. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2016 season and beyond are available. Corporate outing reservations for the 2016 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz may be placed now as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnics. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket Office at 703-590-2311 for more information!

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