The State College Spikes 2023 coaching staff has been rounded out as former MLB pitcher Jerome Williams, along with former MLB draft picks Tim Battle Jr. and Jesus Azuaje, will serve under manager Dave Trembley for the upcoming MLB Draft League season.
Williams comes to the Spikes as pitching coach after spending the last four seasons as a coach in the New York Mets organization, including a stint at Double-A Binghamton in 2022. The 11-year major league vet spent time pitching for the Giants, Cubs, Nationals, Angels, Astros, Rangers, Phillies and Cardinals, making 236 appearances, 149 of them starts, while collecting 52 big league wins. Williams, a native of Waipahu, Hawaii, was a first-round draft choice of the Giants in 1999.
Battle, who will serve as the Spikes’ hitting coach, was selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 2003 MLB Draft and played in that organization for six seasons. The Atlanta native then played independent pro ball for the next six seasons, and now serves as a hitting instructor for youth players in the Atlanta area.
Williams comes to the Spikes as pitching coach after spending the last four seasons as a coach in the New York Mets organization, including a stint at Double-A Binghamton in 2022. The 11-year major league vet spent time pitching for the Giants, Cubs, Nationals, Angels, Astros, Rangers, Phillies and Cardinals, making 236 appearances, 149 of them starts, while collecting 52 big league wins. Williams, a native of Waipahu, Hawaii, was a first-round draft choice of the Giants in 1999.
Battle, who will serve as the Spikes’ hitting coach, was selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 2003 MLB Draft and played in that organization for six seasons. The Atlanta native then played independent pro ball for the next six seasons, and now serves as a hitting instructor for youth players in the Atlanta area.
