Nicknamed the “Airbender,” Devin Williams ranks among the MLB’s most standout closers. He is known for his elite pitching skills and signature changeup, which seems to defy physics with its sharp, unpredictable movement.
Devin Williams quickly claimed both NL Rookie of the Year and Reliever of the Year honors in 2020 soon after starting his MLB journey with Milwaukee in 2019. After earning All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023, the dominant reliever’s Brewers tenure ended when he was traded to the Yankees following the 2024 season.
Devin Williams’ moniker and talent have drawn comparisons to the type of closer every team dreams of having. His “Airbender” pitch, paired with his ability to perform under pressure brings game-changing dominance to the bullpen, embodying the precision and power the franchise thrives on.
Early life and career of Devin Williams
The Brewers acquired Devin Williams in the 2013 MLB draft, selecting him 54th overall in the second round. Faced with a choice between professional baseball and college baseball at Missouri, he opted for the pros, signing with Milwaukee for a $1.35 million bonus.
X@_dvn23
From debut to dominance (2019-2020)
His breakthrough came during the shortened 2020 MLB season. Making his major league entrance on August 7, 2019, at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, Devin Williams showed promise in his first 13 Brewers appearances, posting a 3.95 ERA.
But it was 2020 when he truly exploded onto the scene, culminating in a historic September where he allowed zero runs and just four hits while striking out 24 batters. In 22 appearances, Devin Williams posted an astonishing 0.33 ERA – the lowest for any pitcher throwing at least 21 innings since ERA became official in 1913 – allowing just one earned run over 27 innings while striking out 53 batters. This historic performance earned him the National League Rookie of the Year Award, as well as the NL Reliever of the Year Award. Devin Williams’ dominance that year wasn’t just impressive—it was virtually unparalleled in MLB history.
Devin Williams’ excellence continued in 2021, earning NL Reliever of the Month honors in August. However, his season ended abruptly when he fractured his pitching hand punching a wall during the team’s NL Central title celebration. In 2022, following Josh Hader’s trade, Devin Williams stepped into the closer role.
After avoiding arbitration with a $3.35 million deal for 2023, Devin Williams dominated with a 1.53 ERA and 36 saves, securing his second NL Reliever of the Year award. His 2024 season, despite starting late due to back stress fractures, showcased his resilience with a 1.25 ERA across 22 appearances and 14 saves. However, his Brewers tenure ended on a difficult note, surrendering four runs in a crucial Wild Card Series loss to the Mets, after which Milwaukee declined his $10.5 million option.
TNYT
On December 13, 2024, the Yankees announced a trade for Devin Williams. He landed in the Bronx as starter Nestor Cortes and prospect Caleb Durbin headed for Milwaukee.
The making of an ‘Airbender’
Devin Williams isn’t just another arm in the bullpen; he’s a craftsman of one of the most elusive pitches in baseball: the changeup. This isn’t just any changeup either—it’s a pitch so unique in its movement that it earned him the nickname “Airbender.” The pitch seemingly defies the laws of physics, darting unpredictably as if it’s bending the very air around it.
While many closers rely on blistering fastballs to overpower hitters, Devin Williams takes a different approach. His fastball is formidable, regularly clocking in the mid-to-upper 90s, but it’s his changeup—the “Airbender”— is one of the most effective and unique in modern baseball, often leaving hitters flailing at thin air.
Statcast data reveals that Devin Williams’ changeup has an average horizontal break of over 18 inches, which is among the best in the league. Coupled with a vertical drop that confounds hitters, it’s no wonder this pitch has a whiff rate of nearly 50%. Opponents often swing and miss entirely, even when they know the changeup is coming.
Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated once referred to the Airbender as “a pitch that belongs in its own category.” It’s a testament to how rare and impactful this offering is. Devin Williams’ ability to pair it with a strong fastball and slider gives him an arsenal that’s as unpredictable as it is deadly.
What makes Devin Williams even more fascinating is his mental approach to the game. Pitching at the highest level requires not just physical skill but also mental toughness, and Williams has both in spades. He’s spoken openly about the focus required to stay ahead of hitters, as well as the importance of confidence on the mound.
“You have to trust your stuff,” Devin Williams said in an interview. “If you go out there and second-guess yourself, hitters will pick up on that. Confidence is everything in this game.”
The arrival of the ‘Airbender’ in the Bronx
Devin Williams’ trade to the Yankees instantly elevates their bullpen to elite status. The Yankees have a long tradition of dominant closers, from Goose Gossage to Mariano Rivera, and Williams appears poised to take his place among these legends. He now steps into this legacy, with the potential to leave his own mark.
His unique pitching style contrasts with Rivera’s legendary cutter, but the two share a similar ability to completely neutralize opposing hitters. Devin Williams’ Airbender may even introduce a new era of dominance for Yankees closers, showcasing how innovation and creativity can redefine success on the mound.
What sets Devin Williams apart isn’t just his raw talent but his ability to innovate on the mound. While many closers rely heavily on overpowering fastballs, his changeup defies convention. It’s a pitch that has baffled even the best hitters in the league, earning him accolades and a reputation as one of the most dominant relief pitchers of his generation.
Manager Aaron Boone has already expressed his excitement about Devin Williams’ arrival, calling him “a player who changes the game every time he steps on the mound.” Boone added, “With Devin in our bullpen, we have a weapon that can shut down any lineup in baseball.”
Devin Williams’ ability to thrive under pressure also makes him a perfect fit for the Yankees. Pitching in the Bronx isn’t for the faint of heart, but he has proven he can deliver in the biggest moments. His poise, combined with his exceptional skill set, will be invaluable as the Yankees aim to compete for a championship.
How Devin Williams changes the AL East dynamics
_dvn23@instagram
Devin Williams isn’t just a closer; he’s a strategic asset. His unique ability to pair a high-velocity fastball with his signature changeup makes him nearly impossible to prepare for. For a Yankees team that has faced bullpen inconsistencies in recent years, Devin Williams represents the stability and dominance they’ve been missing. His arrival addresses a crucial need for New York, as the team looks to solidify the back end of its pitching staff in pursuit of its next World Series title.
The addition of Williams doesn’t just bolster the Yankees; it shifts the balance of power in the highly competitive AL East. Devin Williams’ signature changeup will be unleashed on the Yankees’ AL East rivals like the Blue Jays, Rays, and Red Sox, who will now have to contend with one of the league’s most effective late-game pitchers.
Opposing hitters already struggled against Williams during his time in Milwaukee, where he posted a career ERA of 2.03 and consistently ranked among the league leaders in strikeout rate. Now, he’ll bring that same dominance to a division filled with some of baseball’s best offenses.
As Devin Williams settles into life in the Bronx, the expectations will be sky-high. Yankees fans are some of the most passionate and demanding in all of sports, and Williams will need to deliver from the start. However, if his track record is any indication, he’s more than ready for the challenge.
Devin Williams has already expressed his excitement about joining the Yankees, saying, “I’ve always wanted to pitch on the biggest stage, and there’s no bigger stage than Yankee Stadium. I’m ready to embrace this opportunity and help bring another championship to New York.”
With his ability to generate swings and misses in high-pressure situations, Devin Williams gives the Yankees a significant edge in close postseason games. His Airbender pitch, combined with his mental toughness, makes him the kind of player who can change the outcome of a playoff series.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
