Omaha makes it a family affair with first-round pick(41.04)
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:48 pm
Omaha added another member of the Niles family to its organization on Tuesday morning as they selected shortstop Logan Niles with their first-round pick(23rd overall) in the 2041 amateur draft. Niles is the son of current Omaha GM Justin Niles and nephew of current Hawk roster member Jake Williams.
As for Logan, he is an 18-year-old switch hitter who projects to not hit for a very good average but should hit plenty of long balls. His ability on the base paths along with his glovework should allow him the ability to at least be a utility player in the BBA.
As a matter of fact, Logan is eerily similar to his uncle Jake Williams, who came into the league with much of the same low contact/high power potential and a good glove. Williams however, has failed to produce much during his professional career as he is a .184/.215/.359 career batter with 34 home runs in 754 plate appearances. He has thrived with his glove though combining for a +63.6 ZR over 6,6665 professional innings in the middle infield.
While it would be an honorable moment to have Niles & Williams both playing in the infield together, it may be even more likely that Williams steps away to take on a coaching role when his playing career comes to an end. A role that may still see Williams & Niles working together consistently.
As for Logan, he is an 18-year-old switch hitter who projects to not hit for a very good average but should hit plenty of long balls. His ability on the base paths along with his glovework should allow him the ability to at least be a utility player in the BBA.
As a matter of fact, Logan is eerily similar to his uncle Jake Williams, who came into the league with much of the same low contact/high power potential and a good glove. Williams however, has failed to produce much during his professional career as he is a .184/.215/.359 career batter with 34 home runs in 754 plate appearances. He has thrived with his glove though combining for a +63.6 ZR over 6,6665 professional innings in the middle infield.
While it would be an honorable moment to have Niles & Williams both playing in the infield together, it may be even more likely that Williams steps away to take on a coaching role when his playing career comes to an end. A role that may still see Williams & Niles working together consistently.