Will MLBbro Devin “Airbender” Williams Take the Next Step As the Milwaukee Brewers Closer In 2023?
Devin Williams of the Milwaukee Brewers already has collected a trove of historical statistics and accomplishments that makes the 28-year-old MLBbro one of the most dominant relief pitchers in history. He also appreciates a mean shoe game, as Rob Parker found out at the 2022 All-Star game in Colorado.
2020 National League Rookie Of The Year
In 2020, he was named the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year. Here’s where things get very interesting.
Just check out the history attached to this achievement…
- Williams was the first relief pitcher in either league to take Rookie of the Year Honors since Craig Kimbrell did it for the Atlanta Braves in 2011.
- He was the first non-closer to achieve the accomplishment since Scott Williamson did it with the Cincinnati Reds in 1999.
- He became the very first pitcher to take the award without logging a win or save.
- Devin Williams and fellow MLBbro Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners, were the first Black players to sweep rookie honors since hit machine Alvin Davis and the MLBbro icon Dwight Gooden back in 1984.
Williams also won the 2020 NL Reliever of the Year Award after his teammate Josh Hader had won it the previous two seasons.
It’s one thing to be a part of history and it’s another to understand the importance of being part of history. In 1984, Gooden and Davis swept the honors THREE YEARS before the award was renamed in Jackie Robinson’s honor. He spoke out at the time on the subject via MLB.com.
Devin Williams Represents For Biracial MLBbros
“I feel like you need someone who looks like you to show you it’s possible,” Williams said. “Growing up, I had guys like Derek Jeter and other biracial and Black players who just kind of opened the door to that possibility for me. When you don’t see anyone who looks like you, it doesn’t feel like it’s attainable, in a way.”
Williams was the only MLBbro pitcher at the 2022 MLB All-Star Game.
Age Of “The Airbender”
After a rocky 2021 season filled with inconsistencies and a broken hand that kept him out of the postseason, here’s where the story begins.
When our MLBbro further developed his unique “airbender” changeup that made everyone forget the valleys of the previous season, Williams quietly transitioned himself from the best set-up man in baseball to one of the best closers. The Milwaukee Brewers must have seen some long-term potential when they shocked the baseball world and it’s players by trading ace closer Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline. At the time, Hader led the MLB with 29 saves.
Even Williams himself was surprised by the deal. But the Brewers front office sees that Williams is ready to be the man to close games out for this franchise.
Just look at the numbers between Hader and Williams at the time of the big trade…
Hader: 29 saves in 31 attempts with an ERA of 4.24 and a WHIP of 1.12.
Williams: In 39.2 innings of setup work, our MLBbro had an ERA of 1.59 and 66 strikeouts.
Coupled with the 0.33 ERA during his award collecting 2020 campaign, it shows the Brewers’ decision was a no brainer. Taylor Rogers, Dinelson Lamet and Robert Gasser will compete for Devin’s set-up position in the bullpen.
What Can We Expect From MLBbro Devin Williams in 2023?
The most unique pitch that will be introduced to the game since the split-fingered fastball in the 1980’s by Bruce Sutter. Williams has a changeup that is so fascinating that it has its own name. Pitching guru, Rob Friedman calls his changeup “The Airbender”. Just like with his awards, he understands the significance of what’s going on around him.
With this physics-defying pitch and more opportunity for saves to boost his resume, our MLBbro is well on his way to being a Cy Young contender if he can stay healthy and available.
Recent Comments