Over the offseason, the New York Yankees traded for a lockdown closer. However, what they got was far from what they expected.
In six years with the Brewers, All-Star closer Devin Williams pitched to the tune of a 1.83 ERA. In 23 games with the Yankees this season, he owns a frightening 6.75 ERA with an opponent batting average of .250, both of which are career-highs. These results offer a stark difference from that of the Williams we were all familiar with just last season.
The 30-year-old reliever has hit a few speed bumps in the past, often scuffling in the early months of the season, but his struggles with the Yankees this year are the first of their kind. Not only are Williams’ ERA and opponent average the worst of his career, but his 5.4 walks per nine innings (BB/9) is at a career high, while his 11.7 strikeouts per nine (K/9) is a career low (not including his brief debut season).
By now, it looks like Williams is just one of those pitchers who doesn’t perform well with the Yankees. Still, there is an overlooked nugget of data that refutes this conclusion. As it turns out, Williams is just a pitcher who doesn’t perform well closing for the Yankees.
After one of his numerous ugly outings in late April, Williams was removed as closer. Since his demotion, Williams began to thrive. His dominance would be prevalent for all but one appearance, on a wet night against the Padres, where rain-soaked baseballs hampered him in a 4-3 loss on May 5.
On May 27, approximately one month since losing the closer’s job, Williams was called in to close out a game against the Angels. Facing a relatively tame Angels batting order, Williams gave up two runs on three hits, including a home run. He still walked away with the save and a 3-2 Yankee win, though he had managed to frighten his fan base and turn a shutout into a one-run game.
If this cautionary story serves to show any lesson, it could be that Williams ought to be used as a setup man, not a better. To raised illustrate this level, let’s check out the information.
The desk beneath reveals Williams’ stats within the ninth inning in comparison with all different innings. No save alternatives occurred in any inning however the ninth, together with extras.
| Inning quantity | Innings pitched | Earned runs | Hits | Walks |
| Ninth | 8.2 | 12 | 14 | 7 |
| All others | 11.1 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Yankee followers can relaxation assured when Williams takes the mound — simply not within the ninth. As the information reveals, Williams’ ninth-inning nightmares aren’t mirrored in his different outings (the wet evening look however).
That stated, something can change. Given his immense expertise, Williams might nonetheless be the stellar nearer whom Yankees GM Brian Cashman envisioned in his authentic plans. Nonetheless, when the Yankees have already got a dependable nearer in Luke Weaver, who’s pitching to an astounding 0.73 ERA, there actually isn’t any level in having Williams shut. A one-two punch of Williams and Weaver might make the Yankee bullpen a formidable pressure if used correctly.
