RHP Ryan Williams had two excellent starts for Double-A Tennessee and Monday was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week (Aug. 10-16). Williams became the first pitcher for the Smokies to earn the weekly award this season.
Ryan Williams allowed one run on four hits (0.75 ERA) with two walks and nine strikeouts in 12 innings in his two starts last week. And the only run came off the first home run he has allowed this season. Williams retired 18 of the 19 batters he faced over six shutout innings against Jackson on Aug. 10. And on Aug. 15, he gave up one run on three hits in six innings.
Over his last three starts, Williams is 3-0 with a 0.50 ERA and 0.50 WHIP. Williams has allowed one run on seven hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts in 18 innings.
RHP Ryan Williams joins C/1B Cael Brockmeyer (Midwest League: April 9-19), 1B Dan Vogelbach (Southern League: April 9-19; April 20-26), RHP Tyler Skulina (Carolina League: April 27-May 3), OF Billy McKinney (Carolina League: May 4-10), OF/1B Yasiel Balaguert (Midwest League: May 25-31), OF Kevin Brown (Carolina League: May 25-31), INF Christian Villanueva (Pacific Coast League: June 1-7; July 13-19), OF Mark Zagunis (Carolina League: June 15-21), OF Jeffrey Baez (Midwest League: July 13-19), C Willson Contreras (Southern League: July 26-Aug. 2), RHP Jonathan Martinez (Carolina League: July 26-Aug. 2 ), RHP Adbert Alzolay (Northwest League: July 26-Aug. 2) and RHP Erick Leal (Midwest League: Aug 3-9) as the prospects in the organization that have won Player of the Week awards for their respective leagues.
RHP Ryan Williams has put together an excellent first full year in pro ball. The Cubs selected Williams in the 10th round of the 2014 draft. Williams started the season with Low-A South Bend.
In nine appearances, eight starts for the SB Cubs, Williams was 4-1 with a 1.17 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. Williams allowed 36 hits with two walks and 37 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings.
Ryan Williams has not slowed down at Double-A Tennessee. Williams is 8-2 in 13 games, 12 starts, with a 2.60 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Williams has given up 56 hits with 13 walks and 52 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings.
For the season, Ryan Williams is a combined 12-3 in 22 games, 20 starts, for Low-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee with a 1.98 ERA and 0.87 WHIP (33 runs, 27 earned, 92 hits, 15 walks, 89 strikeouts in 123 innings).
Ryan Williams was the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May.
• Full Release from the Tennessee Smokies