Nick Williams makes quick impression with Reading

TRENTON - J.P. Crawford and Nick Williams knew of each other before meeting for the first time in July at the Futures Game in Cincinnati. Two of baseball's elite prospects were teammates for the USA squad.

Crawford, the Phillies' top prospect, played shortstop and batted second. Williams, who represented the Texas Rangers, came off the bench to drive in a run. But it was their pregame introduction that proved more interesting than the exhibition game.

"I told J.P., 'Bro, we might be teammates in a few weeks. Maybe a few days,' " Williams said. "And he was like, 'Really?' I said 'Yeah.' "

Williams was right. He was traded to the Phillies in late July as part of the trade that sent Cole Hamels to Texas. Williams and Crawford, who are seen as two essential pieces of the Phillies' rebuilding, were teammates again on Tuesday night with double-A Reading in Trenton.

Williams batted leadoff and Crawford batted second. Reading manager Dusty Wathan said Williams will bat first and play centerfield for the foreseeable future. He will decide what to do with prospect Roman Quinn once he returns to the team later this month. Williams said he is comfortable in all three outfield positions.

Williams went 2 for 5 in his debut. The next night brought a pair of titanic homers, both of which traveled over the right-field scoreboard. He crushed the second homer with a blazing swing. Williams also displayed his strong arm and ran the bases with energy.

He showed the tools of a future leadoff hitter. The Phillies would be pleased if Williams, 21, and Crawford, 20, are sitting atop their lineup sometime in the next two seasons.

"He looked good," Wathan said. "Everything looked good. He looked comfortable. He looked like he swung the bat comfortable at the plate. He's a good addition to our organization."

Williams was officially traded on July 31. He left the next day for Reading. Williams had time to join his new team since they were on the road in New Hampshire. He decided to drive. It was a way to keep his car with him and a chance to spend time with his girlfriend before she goes back to college.

It took them 21 hours to drive from Round Rock, Texas, to Reading. Williams said he saw nothing but mountains and trees.

"Flying gets me sometimes," Williams said. "So I was like, 'Let's take a road trip.' The organization let me do it, so I was like, 'I guess I'll get to see all the new states.' It was great."

Williams said he was nervous about meeting his new team. It was his first time being traded. The Texas native had spent four years in the Rangers organization. The only players he knew were Crawford and Jake Thompson, who joined him in the trade.

If those nerves lingered during his first game, they were certainly lost afterward. Williams walked the hallway leading from Trenton's visitors dugout as the saxophones of a French club song blared in the Reading clubhouse. A player opened the door and urged Williams to hurry up. They were holding the victory celebration until their new teammate arrived. Williams entered and the team roared. He had found a new home.