OF Williams claimed off waivers by Reds

CINCINNATI -- The Reds claimed outfielder Nick Williams off waivers from the Phillies on Saturday, and he was optioned by Cincinnati to its alternate training site at Prasco Park.

Philadelphia designated Williams for assignment on Tuesday. A left-handed-hitting corner outfielder, he batted .151 in 112 plate appearances over 67 MLB games last season, spending much of the year in Triple-A.

Williams, 26, hit 12 homers while hitting .288 as a rookie in 2017, but he appeared to fall out of favor with the Phillies when he slashed .256/.324/.425 with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs over 140 games in ’18. The team was deep in outfielders in ’19, and Williams was relegated to the bottom of the depth chart.

With the Reds already deep with outfielders as well, it’s unclear how the club might find playing time for Williams. A former prospect and second-round Draft pick with the Rangers, he was a key piece in the '15 trade that sent left-handed ace Cole Hamels from the Phillies to the Rangers.

Many in the Phillies organization believed that Williams could benefit from a change of scenery.