The unexpected time Nick Williams spends on the bench allows him to vigorously pursue his other interests.
The Philadelphia Phillies outfielder revealed Thursday to The Philadelphia Enquirer’s Matt Breen one positive surprise he enjoys from first-year manager Gabe Kapler’s unorthodox approach to managing his lineups. Kapler gives Phillies players advanced warning when they won’t be starting, and Williams, 24, uses the information to hone his video-game skills.
“The one bonus, Williams said, is Kapler’s alerts allow him to stay up late playing video games without feeling guilty about it,” Breen writes.
Williams established himself as a regular in the Phillies’ lineup last season after they called him up from Triple-A. He’s now tasked with proving himself to Kapler, who rotates him along with Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera and Scott Kingery in center field and right field. That means he’ll have to perform at his peak when called upon in the real world, not the virtual one.
