By Adam Roberts – 11/10/2020
Not that many are surprised, but Brewers’ reliever Devin Williams secured the National League Rookie of the Year award yesterday evening after a 2020 season that saw him become one of the toughest relief pitcher to hit.
Especially his change up, one of the nastiest pitches in baseball at the moment.
Statistically, Williams’ change up was contacted in play just 2 out of 62 times; his .032 ERA on the pitch was the lowest in the majors, followed by Cleveland pitcher Zach Plesac’s slider and a tie for third between Trevor Bauer’s slider and Michael Lorenzen’s 4-seamer in Cincinnati.
Another interesting tidbit about William’s win is the fact that he’s the first pitcher to do it without recording a save or making a start. Craig Kimbrel was the last reliever to win the award when he did so in his rookie year in Atlanta back in 2011.
Williams is the second Brewer to win the award, after Ryan Braun did so in 2007. Padre’s second baseman Jake Cronenworth and Phillie’s infileder Alec Bohn tied for second.