Statcast has pitch tracking on Brewers stud reliever Devin Williams dating back to the 2019 season. In 2019 his average fastball velocity was 96.4 MPH, 2020 96.5 MPH, 2021 95.3 MPH, and 2022 93.9 MPH. For a pitcher who has a history of Tommy John surgery, one might look at those numbers and be concerned about the velocity drop. However, it was by design as Williams made a mechanical tweak to his release point last year.
In a recent article from Brewers beat reporter Adam McCalvy, Williams explains that he made an adjustment in release point by letting the baseball go closer to the hitter. On baseball savant, this is measured by extension. Last year, Williams averaged 7.5 feet of extension on fastballs, which was the second highest in the Majors.
By adjusting the release point, Williams was able to get his fastball to play up without throwing as hard. This resulted in more strikeouts on fastballs (46% last year) and it also allowed him to pitch more often. On three occasions in 2022 he pitched three straight days and overall he appeared in 65 games.
Here is Devin Williams’ explanation regarding the mechanical tweak that he made last year that resulted in more fastball success.
“I tweaked my delivery. I’m top of the league, extension-wise, and 93-95 [mph] with 7.5-7.6 [foot] extension played better than 6.5 [foot] extension with 98 [mph].
Williams made this adjustment knowing that hitters were adjusting to his changeup and were going up to the plate expecting it.
“It’s hard to beat a guy with the same thing. I had to use my fastball more, and then I can use my changeup. But when it’s expected to be one pitch, you’re not going to be able to do that.”
Even with being the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year and Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year, Williams made noticeable improvements on the mound in 2022. This was evident early on in the season as he made the All-Star team and had a streak of 30 consecutive scoreless outings.
The next step for Williams is to be the Brewers closer for an entire season. He has had experience in that role over the past few seasons, but with Josh Hader gone Williams will now be the go to guy in the ninth inning.
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