Devin Williams, a relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, has had a remarkable career season so far. He was a second-round pick of the Brewers in 2013 and has steadily improved over the years.
In the 2021 season, he has gone 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while striking out 59 in just 35⅔ innings over 39 appearances. Williams has also gone 6 for 6 in save opportunities and leads the major leagues in holds with 23.
His exceptional performance has raised the question: how good of a pitcher is Devin Williams? In this blog post, we will analyze his stats, pitching repertoire, career performance, and impact on the Brewers to determine his overall skill level.
Devin Williams’ Stats
Devin Williams’ stats for the current season are nothing short of impressive. Through 39 appearances, he has recorded a 2-0 record with a 1.77 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He has struck out an impressive 59 batters in just 35⅔ innings pitched, while only allowing 22 hits and 13 walks.
Williams has also been effective in save situations, converting all six of his opportunities, and leads the major leagues in holds with 23.
When compared to other top relief pitchers in the league, Williams ranks among the best. His ERA is the third-best among relief pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched, behind only Josh Hader and Liam Hendriks. His WHIP is also among the best, ranking fifth in the league for relief pitchers.
Additionally, his strikeout rate of 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings ranks second among relief pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched. Overall, Williams’ stats for the 2021 season indicate that he is one of the top relief pitchers in the league.
Williams’ Pitching Repertoire
Devin Williams has a diverse pitching repertoire that includes a changeup, fastball, and slider. His changeup is his most dominant pitch, and it has been extremely effective for him this season.
According to Statcast, Williams’ changeup has a whiff rate of 51.6%, meaning more than half of the swings against it miss. His fastball has also been effective, with a whiff rate of 31.8%, and his slider has a whiff rate of 38.1%.
Williams’ pitch velocity is also impressive. His fastball averages around 96 mph, and his changeup averages around 83 mph, which creates a significant speed differential that makes it difficult for hitters to adjust to his pitches.
Williams also has excellent movement on his pitches, with his changeup having significant horizontal movement, and his fastball having both horizontal and vertical movement.
Williams’ pitch location is another important factor in his success. He is able to consistently locate his pitches in the strike zone and get batters to chase pitches outside of the zone. This is evident in his high strikeout rate, as well as his low walk rate.
Overall, Williams’ approach to pitching is focused on utilizing his changeup to its full potential, mixing in his fastball and slider, and locating his pitches effectively.
His ability to throw a variety of pitches with different speeds and movement, as well as his precise location, allows him to keep hitters off-balance and achieve a high rate of swings and misses.
Williams’ Career Performance
Devin Williams’ career stats show that he has been a consistent and effective relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. In his 3-year career, he has compiled a 9-3 record with a 2.50 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He has struck out 159 batters in 100⅓ innings pitched while only allowing 60 hits and 36 walks.
When compared to his current season performance, Williams’ career stats are slightly less impressive but still solid. His career ERA is higher than his current season ERA, but his career WHIP is slightly lower.
His career strikeout rate of 14.2 strikeouts per nine innings is higher than his current season strikeout rate of 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
In terms of consistency and durability, Williams has been reliable for the Brewers. He has made at least 22 appearances in each of his three seasons and has never been placed on the injured list. This consistency has made him a valuable asset to the Brewers’ bullpen.
One notable achievement in Williams’ career so far is winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2020. He had an impressive rookie season, posting a 0.33 ERA in 27 innings pitched, and became the first relief pitcher to win the award without recording a save.
Overall, Williams’ career performance shows that he has been a consistent and effective relief pitcher for the Brewers.
His reliability and durability have made him a valuable asset to the team, and his achievements, such as winning the Rookie of the Year Award, demonstrate his talent and potential as a pitcher.
Williams’ Impact on the Brewers
Devin Williams has been a key contributor to the Milwaukee Brewers’ success this season. As one of the team’s top relief pitchers, Williams has played an important role in securing wins and maintaining leads.
His ability to record strikeouts and limit hits and walks has made him a valuable asset to the team’s bullpen.
Williams’ importance to the team’s bullpen and overall pitching strategy cannot be overstated. His dominance in high-leverage situations has allowed the Brewers to confidently turn to him in crucial moments.
His ability to pitch multiple innings and get through tough spots has also helped to save the team’s other relievers, which has been crucial over the course of a long season.
In addition to Williams’ contributions, the Brewers’ success can also be attributed to their strong starting pitching and solid defensive play. The team’s starters, including Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, and Freddy Peralta, have been consistently excellent, allowing the bullpen to come in and finish games.
The team’s defense, led by Gold Glove outfielder Lorenzo Cain, has also been exceptional, consistently making highlight-reel plays and limiting opposing teams’ scoring opportunities.
Overall, Williams’ contributions have been a key factor in the Brewers’ success this season, but the team’s success is also the result of a collective effort, including strong starting pitching and solid defense.
As the season continues, Williams’ performance will be crucial to the team’s success in securing a playoff spot and making a deep postseason run.
Devin Williams’ Career Statistics
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Record | 9-3 |
| ERA | 2.50 |
| WHIP | 1.03 |
| Strikeouts/9 innings | 14.2 |
| Innings Pitched | 100.1 |
| Hits Allowed | 60 |
| Walks Allowed | 36 |
The table summarizes Devin Williams’ career statistics, including his record, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts per nine innings, innings pitched, hits allowed, and walks allowed.
These stats provide a clear picture of Williams’ consistency and effectiveness as a relief pitcher over the course of his career.
FAQs
Has Devin Williams had any injuries during his career?
To date, Devin Williams has not had any major injuries that have caused him to miss significant time. He has been a reliable and durable pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.
How did Devin Williams develop his changeup pitch?
Devin Williams developed his changeup pitch during his time in the minor leagues. He learned to grip the ball differently and adjust his arm speed to create more movement and deception on the pitch.
How does Devin Williams prepare for his games?
Devin Williams is known for his meticulous preparation and attention to detail. He spends a lot of time studying opposing hitters and their tendencies, and works closely with the Brewers’ coaching staff to develop game plans for each game.
What sets Devin Williams apart from other relief pitchers?
Devin Williams’ ability to throw a dominant changeup pitch with a significant speed differential has set him apart from other relief pitchers. He also has excellent location and movement on his pitches, and is able to consistently get batters out and record strikeouts.
Has Devin Williams ever been a starting pitcher?
Devin Williams has never been a starting pitcher in his professional career. He has been exclusively used as a relief pitcher, and has excelled in that role.
Conclusion
Devin Williams has had an outstanding 2021 season, and his statistics indicate that he is one of the top relief pitchers in the league. His dominant pitching repertoire, including an effective changeup, fastball, and slider, has allowed him to consistently get batters out and record strikeouts.
His success this season has been a key factor in the Milwaukee Brewers’ success, and his importance to the team’s bullpen and pitching strategy cannot be overstated.
While his career statistics may not be as impressive as his current season performance, Williams’ consistency and durability as a relief pitcher have made him a reliable asset to the Brewers over the course of his career.
Winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2020 is a testament to his talent and potential as a pitcher.
Ultimately, Devin Williams is an exceptional relief pitcher who has proven to be a valuable asset to the Milwaukee Brewers. As the season continues, his performance will be crucial to the team’s success in securing a playoff spot and making a deep postseason run.
