Ryan Williams Named Cubs Minor League Pitcher Of The Month

Williams Posted A 1.59 ERA In May

By Darin Pritchett

June 3, 2015

South Bend, IN-- Former South Bend Cubs pitcher Ryan Williams has been named the Chicago Cubs minor league pitcher of the month for May.

Williams, 23, went 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA (6 ER/34.0 IP) in five starts for South Bend during the month of May. He struck out 23 batters without issuing a walk to any of his 125 batters faced. He tossed four quality starts and twice tied a season-high with 8.0 innings pitched, including 8.0-scoreless frames in the club's 3-2 win, May 22 vs. Bowling Green.

Williams, who today started for Tennessee, began the season 4-1 with a 1.17 ERA (7 ER/53.2 IP) in nine games (eight starts) with South Bend. Entering today, he struck out 37 batters compared to two walks and held the opposition to a .190 batting average and a .461 OPS. His ERA and opponent batting average are both second-lowest in the Midwest League.

Williams was selected by the Cubs in the 10th round of the 2014 Draft out of East Carolina University. He entered today 6-2 with a 1.23 ERA (11 ER/80.1 IP) in 20 minor league appearances, including eight starts. He fanned 66 batters, while walking just five, and held opponents to a .201 batting average.

South Bend pitchers have earned the first two Chicago Cubs minor league pitchers of the month awards. In April, Jeremy Null picked up the honor.

The South Bend Cubs host Cedar Rapids tonight at 7:05pm(ET).