Adam Roberts – 10/5/2020
Despite missing out on the postseason due to injury, there was enough resume material from Brewers’ reliever Devin Williams this season to grant him the honor of best reliever in the league.
MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy tweeted today that Williams had been bestowed the honor by a panel of writers, broadcasters, former players, managers and executives. Williams appears to have been a runaway choice for the award, garnering 12 of the 17 total votes.
The 26 year old Florissant, Missouri product’s stats speak for themselves: 27 innings pitched, ONE earned run on a Colin Moran home run July 27th against the Pirates, 53 K’s to 9 walks, a 0.33 ERA and 0.63 WHIP. He had one of the highest strikeout rates in baseball this season, and threw one of the nastiest pitches in the game at batters this year.
Williams’s unique changeup gave hitters the biggest challenge all season; at one point they were 0-31 with 21 K’s in plate appearances where the changeup decided things, according to MLB.com.
Between Hader and Williams, whenever run support could be granted, the Crew had a dynamic duo for late innings this year. Here’s to hoping it translates into more wins in 2021.