The "Dream Matchup".... McCullers vs. Williams

     I decided that I am going to post something that many people have been dreaming to see, and what many scouts have talked about recently. The battle of #1 vs. #2, would could possibly be better. Lance McCullers, the number ranked player in the nation many people feel like, and Nick Williams, the 2^nd ranked player battling off against each other. The best pitcher in the nation, with a fastball that’s been up to 98, and a left handed hitting machine who will likely hit lead off in the bigs one day. McCullers, a senior from Tampa, FL, who stand 6’2, 205 is a power plus arm who’s been up to 98. Nick Williams, a UT commitment, is just as impressive when it comes to frame and speed. A 6.47 runner who stands 6’3, 195 and hits from the left side of the plate is a dangerous combo. I decided to write this piece a day earlier than we were going to release any articles because of a conversation I just remembered having with a scout a few months back. He said, “Boy I just want to skip all these summer ball workouts and games and get it out the way. I want [Lance] McCullers and [Nick] Williams at our field one on one, will take the winner with our first pick.” Pretty big words from a guy who’s been doing it this long. I recently ran across the “Dream Matchup” on YouTube by complete mistake. It takes place at what appears to be the Boston Red Sox’s spring training field in Florida. The first thing that I notice is how “big” Williams is in the box. He has the “swagger” for a better word of a big leaguer already, not scared at all apparently on McCullers and his MLB ready fastball. McCullers, who is working out the windup with two outs, gets the sign and prepares to go battle as well. First pitch, McCullers comes hard in with a fastball that makes Williams move his front foot, and hope out the way, 1-0. McCullers heads back to the mound, Williams back to the plate, neither looking phased. Pitch 2, is what appears to be a slider in, hard to tell from the video, but could have been a fastball with some run also in low. This pitch, like the one before, makes Williams back up off the plate, 2-0. The catcher throws the ball firmly to McCullers as if to say, “Let’s do it.” Pitch 3, the pitch Williams has been looking for all AB, a 2-0 right down the middle. Williams, who appeared to be semi fooled by the fastball, fouls it off, 2-1. Williams now gets in the box, and steps out, taking a few practice swings. The 2-1 count is a fastball in, from what I was told was 96 miles per hour, which Williams slaps to left field. The ball was hit very well, just slightly behind it, and was caught by the left fielder, out 3. The dream matchup that people waited and waited to see was now over, only lasting 1 minute and 37 seconds. Lance McCullers wins round 1. The Bleacher Report has its 2012 mock MLB Draft up already, and has McCullers going first overall to the Twins and Williams fifth to the A’s. That would mean that both would end up in the AL, and the “Dream Matchup” that so many wanted to see, was far from over.

Check out the video...

* A special thanks to Sullydraft for the footage...

BB29