Williams a 'top-flight' pitcher in all formats
Drew Silva reflects on Devin Williams' terrific first half of the 2022 season, highlighting his pitch arsenal and immense value as a fantasy reliever despite a lack of saves.
Video Transcript
DREW SILVA: Brewers setup man, Devin Williams, was a late addition to the National League all-star roster as a replacement for Max Fried, who will be inactive during the actual all-star game on July 19th, because he made a start on Saturday, July 16th at Washington. Williams probably should have been an original initial selection, but the wrong ultimately got made right, and he now gets to revel in the events surrounding the midsummer classic for the first time in his career. Williams hasn't given up a run earned or unearned over his last 26 appearances, dating back to May 10th. In that time, he has struck out 40 of the 89 batters he has faced, while yielding just eight hits, 40 strikeouts in 24 and two thirds innings, with only eight hits allowed. Flat out dominance.
With a freakish changeup nicknamed The Air Bender, and a four-seam fastball that he's throwing with greater success than ever, Williams currently leads all MLB relievers and holds with 23, and he has also managed to rack up six saves on the days or nights that Josh Hader is unavailable. Fantasy managers know, even in leagues which don't count holds, that Williams is a top-flight bullpen arm. It's nice to see that being acknowledged on a marquee level.