Welcome to The Bronx, Devin Williams.
The Yankees landed the 30-year-old right-handed reliever and two-time All-Star from the Brewers on Friday, sending lefty pitcher Nestor Cortes, minor league second baseman Caleb Durbin and cash to Milwaukee.
To get a bit more acquainted with Williams, here’s a look back at the highs and lows of the Bombers’ newest bullpen arm.
The Highs
Righty gets paid
A second-round pick in the 2013 amateur draft, Williams had committed to the University of Missouri but instead decided to forego college ball for the pro ranks.
That decision netted the 18-year-old a $1.35 million signing bonus.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams (38) reacts after picking up a save in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at American Family Field during a game in September 2024.Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Williams pitched in the Arizona League and the Pioneer League in 2013 and 2014, respectively, before reaching the Single-A level in 2015.
Milwaukee Brewers’ Devin Williams throws during the ninth inning of Game 3 in a National League Wild Card game against the New York Mets Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Milwaukee.AP
Rookie of the Year campaign
During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Williams posted a staggering 0.33 ERA — the lowest mark in a single season, with at least 21 innings pitched, since at least 1913.
Across 22 appearances, the reliever struck out half the batters he faced and surrendered just 18 hits in 27 innings.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams (38) celebrates with catcher William Contreras (24) after defeating the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in September 2024.Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
With his Rookie of the Year honors, Williams became the first relief pitcher to take home the award since Craig Kimbrel (of the Braves) in 2011.
He also nabbed the first of his two Trevor Hoffman Awards as the top NL reliever of the year.
The new closer in town
It was quite the head-scratcher in 2022: in the middle of a pennant race, while leading the NL Central by three games, the Brewers dealt away their closer, four-time All-Star Josh Hader.
The blockbuster deal was a disaster for everyone involved — sans Williams.
In his age 27 season, the reliever assumed closing duties and never looked back.
He won his second Trevor Hoffman Award in 2023 with a career-high 36 saves.
During the ensuing offseason, Milwaukee and the reliever agreed on a one-year, $7.25 million contract — far and away the most lucrative of his career — to avoid arbitration in 2024.
Williams walks across the field in the ninth inning during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 02, 2024, vs. the New York Mets.Getty Images
Hey now, you’re an All-Star
Williams was named an All-Star in both 2022 and 2023.
Over those two years, the closer tossed 119 1/3 innings while allowing just 23 earned runs.
During that span, he amassed 183 strikeouts and a stellar 1.73 ERA.
New York Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker (R) celebrates next to Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams (L) after scoring a run in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during Game Three of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 03, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.JASON SZENES/NEW YORK POST
The lows
Ouchies!
Williams partied a little bit too hard after the Brewers clinched the NL Central in September 2021, punching a wall and fracturing his pitching hand.
Shortly thereafter, Milwaukee announced that their top reliever would miss the remainder of the season.
Without Williams — who had pitched to a 2.50 ERA in 58 appearances on the season — the Brewers fell at the hands of the Braves in the NLDS.
Polar Bear bash
It was a home run so monumental even Mets radio voice Howie Rose got a standing ovation.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams reacts after giving up a three-run home run to New York Mets’ Pete Alonso during the ninth inning of Game 3 of the National League Wild Card game.AP
With his Mets on the verge of extinction — down 2-0 against the Brewers in the ninth inning of the win-or-go-home NL Wild Card Series’ Game 3 this October — Pete Alonso put the borough on his back and delivered his signature Mets moment.
His line drive home run over the right field wall against Williams helped lift New York over Milwaukee, 4-2, and booked New York an NLDS date with the Phillies.
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso celebrates his home run against the Milwaukee Brewers.JASON SZENES/NEW YORK POST
Williams’ final stat line from that fateful evening: 2/3 innings, three hits and four earned runs.
Across 21 2/3 innings pitched during the regular season in 2024, he had given up only one home run and three earned runs.
Pitch-tipper (Maybe)
Shortly after Alonso knocked out the Brewers, it came to light that Williams may have goofed on the hill.
Jomboy Media posted a breakdown of Williams’ delivery, which illustrated a slight difference in the way the reliever held his glove ahead of changeups versus fastballs.
That issue may have … tipped … the scales in favor of the Mets.
