SONOMA, Calif. – The Sonoma Stompers are excited to announce that outfielder Miles Williams is the third player on the team to be promoted this season, as he will be joining the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks.
Williams, a first-year Stomper, played 60 games for Sonoma, hitting .300 with 20 home runs and 54 runs batted in. He ended his time in Sonoma on a strong note, setting the franchise’s single-season home run record.
“This season both Zack [Pace] and myself noticed a significant change in Miles' approach at the plate. While he'll always be a free swinger and instant threat at the plate, it was good to see his maturation process of his approach grow throughout the course of the season,” general manager Brett Creamer said. “While we'll all miss Miles, we're excited for his opportunity to join such a prestigious franchise in the Long Island Ducks. I wish him the best in their playoff run while he continuous his advancement in professional baseball.”
The Flower Mound, Texas native improved his game in nearly every facet from 2017 to 2018. Despite taking nearly 50 less at-bats this season, he his six more home runs, drove in four more runs and had the same number of hits, while also drawing four more walks.
“It’s been great, I’ve got to give it up to Brett [Creamer] and [Zack] Pace for giving me the opportunity to keep playing baseball,” Williams said. “It’s a blessing to have this opportunity, I’m just going to try and capitalize on it and keep everything simple. It’s been a pleasure. I love these dudes.”
The right fielder isn’t new to the Atlantic League, the 2018 season will be his second stint. In 2016, Williams took eight at-bats with the league’s Lancaster Barnstormers after leaving the Miami Marlins organization.
“He’s a great player, I love the kid and I’m going to miss him dearly. I’m really happy for him and really proud of him because he deserves this,” manager Zack Pace said. “He did a great job this year and improved all year. He really got better, he really zoned in and got a lot more walks, worked counts. His approach got a lot better as the year went along.”