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Devin Williams joined the New York Yankees in mid-December, shortly after Juan Soto’s signing with the Mets. Acknowledged for having one of the finest changeups in baseball, expectations were high for his performance.
However, just under a month into what might be his sole season with the Yankees, Williams finds himself grappling with the opposite scenario. He expressed his concern and frustration, emphasizing the need for self-correction after another disappointing outing. This moment of introspection came after a particularly challenging game, where his once-prominent pitch failed him.
The turning point occurred when Alejandro Kirk capitalized on a 1-0 changeup, hitting it over Trent Grisham’s head for a critical two-run double. This hit allowed the Toronto Blue Jays to seize the lead, ultimately leading to a win and prompting the crowd’s displeasure as Williams trudged back to the dugout.
The outing was turbulent from the start. He struggled with his command, walking George Springer on a changeup and allowing a single off his fastball. A mixed bag of results with his changeup against Andres Gimenez culminated in him hitting the second baseman with a fastball.
“It’s getting pretty frustrating,” Williams remarked after experiencing his first blown save. His ERA surged from 7.88 to an alarming 11.25. “Nothing’s working right now.”
As Williams exited the mound, chants of “We Want Weaver” grew louder. Opponents had found success against his changeup, managing a .273 average with six hits in 22 at-bats. This pitch has seen a significant drop from his dominant previous seasons, where hitters struggled to a .162 average against it in 2022 and a .177 average in 2023.
This year, however, the script has flipped. Hitters are now connecting at a .462 rate against the changeup, a stark contrast to previous seasons where it was a highly reliable pitch for him.
Since Mariano Rivera’s retirement in 2013, the Yankees have witnessed fluctuating success in their closing role. David Robertson recorded 39 saves in 2014, followed by Andrew Miller’s 36 in 2015. The acquisition and subsequent return of Aroldis Chapman brought temporary stability, with 153 saves during his time with the team, peaking from 2017-2019.
By 2022, however, Chapman’s performance waned, and Clay Holmes stepped in as closer. Holmes faced his own challenges, blowing 13 save opportunities for a 94-win team last season. While some of these failures were attributed to bad luck or defensive mishaps, the cumulative effect has been alarming, echoing the anxieties surrounding Williams’ recent outings.
Closing games typically hinges on securing three quick outs, a feat Williams achieved only once this season, throwing just six pitches to earn three outs in a match against the Rays on April 17.
Nevertheless, Williams remains a pivotal figure whose future in save situations is uncertain as the Yankees prepare for upcoming games. Manager Aaron Boone voiced his faith in Williams’ abilities, stating, “I believe that the stuff is very much still there. He has all the tools to excel at this.”
Boone further emphasized that Williams is not past his prime and possesses a history of both success and dominance. “When you have that foundation, there’s always a way to navigate out of this. We’ll continue to support him as he seeks to regain his form.”
For now, the Yankees hope to witness the resurgence of Williams’ signature changeup and see it perform as effectively as it has in the past.
Source
www.forbes.com