Devin Williams: 2022

[Joseph Zarr]

I'm going to start a new topic here for post-hand injury Devin. 

It would appear, we will be seeing an explicit effort to work on implementing his re-introduced Cutter/Slider he spent considerable time on in the off-season once his hand healed. Change-up (see article deets below) was not impacted by the injury is in mid-season form. It really seems as tho the young man learned from his mistake pre-Playoffs and is in Prime form. I, for one, am absolutely excited to see if he can implement a 3rd pitch to his already devastating 2-pitch arsenal. 

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/devin-williams-puts-wall-punch-behind-him

 

Quote

Notably, Williams’ changeup is in midseason form. He worried about it after he broke his hand, since the changeup is a pitch based on touch and feel.

Quote

The Brewers will let Williams tinker with the pitch during Spring Training and then make a collective decision at the end of Spring Training. A full camp is a bonus in itself; last year, Williams was limited after ending 2020 with a right shoulder injury.

 

I find this quite exciting.

 

EDIT: Mods, I see we have a 2022 pitching thread way down yonder. Feel free to punt this in there if that is best. Didn't see it til now. 

[KeithStone53151]

It's not uncommon for players to come in saying they worked on a pitch in the off season only for that pitch not to make it into games. Devin had a slider/cutter the entire way through the system but I think he kinda set it aside as he tried to get to the big leagues with his other 2 offerings. So I'll hope for the best but generally going to take this with a grain of salt.

Adding it would certainly help, because as good as good changeup is, you generally can't be successful long term against both handed hitters with just 2 offerings. If this pitch is more of a hard cutter, he probably can effectively use all 3 pitchers against all hitters. If it's more of a slow slider it will probably be mostly limited to rh hitters.

[pitchleague]

I would agree with KeithStone53151.  We've heard for at least a year (or two?) how Josh Hader was working on another pitch and how good it is, etc.  But he's barely used it in games that count. 

Go with what you got you there, right?

[BallFour]

No shame in seeing if he's got something there. His fastball is pretty average at getting outs.

[Adam Rygg]

The biggest thing that Devin mentioned specifically is that only having the fastball and Airbender left him feeling pinned in certain counts. Having a "slutter" to give him something that moves glove-side will help him if he's able to command it at his standard level.

[JRob1125]

He already has a mid 80s slider. It's pretty average, but good enough to use as a third pitch. He should just throw it a little more often

[djoctagone]

 

[djoctagone]

 

[LouisEly]

Anyone else surprised that since the beginning of may his WHIP has been under 1.000?  In his last 22 games he's given up 6 hits and 7 walks.  Seems like he's putting people on base in every outing.

[DuWayne Steurer]

that's proof of concept that perception often doesn't match reality. he's been lights out.

[SRB]

People have been perceiving Williams as struggling??? He's been the most impressive player on the team for me ever since his brief struggles out of the gate.

That stat about us having a top 10 offense is truly shocking though.

[pitchleague]

Well, towards the end of April (or maybe it was early May?) I made a post about Devin's issues at the start of the season, wondering about residual broken hand issues/scar tissue affecting him.

Since that thread, Williams began to turn things around, leading to the current dominance.  Many other posters had faith, even back then, and I appreciate those that talked me down from the proverbial ledge at the time.

 

Perhaps, I need to make a thread about Hader.

[Robocaller]

Devin Williams' ERA was 5.73 on May 10.  Since then his ERA has been 0.00 over 30 appearances. He's been as dominant as any reliever in baseball.

 

[wallus]

Devin will be an outstanding closer next season.

[UpandIn]

12 hours ago, LouisEly said:

Anyone else surprised that since the beginning of may his WHIP has been under 1.000?  In his last 22 games he's given up 6 hits and 7 walks.  Seems like he's putting people on base in every outing.

Yeah...I am a bit surprised at just how dominant he's been. I was aware he'd been dominant, but it seemed like the last 10 days he had a few close calls. I guess it was just a couple walks vs the Jays and then a couple hits another time out. 

I was ALSO a bit surprised just how critical many "Brewers fans" are of Hader right now...though I don't know why. 5 year run as the best weapon our of the Bullpen and he struggles 2 outings(1/3 9ERs) and...he can't be trusted.

 

Uribe is gonna have to develop Maddux type command, Kershaw's curve and Johnson's slider in order for Brewers fans to be assuaged after we lose the Hader/Williams duo. It's a golden era right now. Rodgers, Giannis and Brewers pitching. Am I greedy for wanting that ~1.100 OPS Yelich and Hiura's .920 OPS in the mix as well?

 

 

[UpandIn]

4 hours ago, wallus said:

Devin will be an outstanding closer next season.

We keep saying that and yet...he's back year after year. You think it's a given we trade him away heading into next year? I'm not so sure. 

But he will be an outstanding closer for at least 2 of the next 3 years.

[Outlander]

Still a couple of months away but will be a huge difference from prior years when the Brewers can send Williams out to pitch. Can't emphasize enough how bad it has hurt this team to never have him available for a playoff game. 

[UpandIn]

14 hours ago, UpandIn said:

We keep saying that and yet...he's back year after year. You think it's a given we trade him away heading into next year? I'm not so sure. 

But he will be an outstanding closer for at least 2 of the next 3 years.

Ok...well...just when I thought it made the LEAST possible sense and he's traded...and no CJ Abrams!

 

 

[markedman5]

I’m old enough to remember when some posters thought the brewers should trade him after he punched the wall……..

[wallus]

17 hours ago, UpandIn said:

We keep saying that and yet...he's back year after year. You think it's a given we trade him away heading into next year? I'm not so sure. 

But he will be an outstanding closer for at least 2 of the next 3 years.

Devin will be an outstanding closer next season.