Devin Williams

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #15 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Williams long has been considered to have one of the best arms in the organization but suffered a setback when Tommy John surgery forced him to miss the entire 2017 season. He got back on the mound in 2018 for 14 starts at high Class A Carolina, but it wasn't until last year at Double-A Biloxi that he used some added muscle to get his velocity back in a big way, throwing his fastball in the mid-tohigh 90s, at times touching 100 mph. Accordingly, he became more aggressive with that pitch, attacking hitters up in the zone with late life, increasing his strikeout rate.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: He still flashes a sharp-breaking slider in the upper 80s but has gotten better feel for his changeup, which dips more than 10 mph below the velocity of his fastball and provides a new weapon that helped him dominate Double-A hitters (.181 batting average). Williams eventually was bumped up to Triple-A San Antonio, then to Milwaukee for his major league debut. Much of his newfound success came after being moved from a starting role to relief, with an appearance in the Futures Game signaling a return to prospect status. He made strides with his command but still has some work to do there.
  
  THE FUTURE: Just like that, Williams' career is back on track. He will get a shot to make the Brewers' bullpen in the spring as a multi-inning reliever.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #25 prospect in 2017
  Though taken in the second round in 2013, the Brewers always have thought Williams had first-round talent. Because of maturity issues and a few health setbacks, it has taken him a while to deliver on that projection. Williams spent two seasons in Rookie ball before his full-season debut in 2015. He returned to low Class A Wisconsin in 2016 after staying behind in extended spring training to work through a shoulder issue. Williams still has the potential to be a solid major league starter, but he's on a slower than average development track. His fastball sits in the low 90s with good life and touches 95 mph at times. As Williams matures and his lanky 6-foot-3 frame fills out, the Brewers believe his velocity will sit in the mid-90s. He has a mid-80s slider that he sometimes gets under but has a chance to be an average pitch, along with an improving changeup. Williams focused on better command after issuing too many walks in 2015 and leading the Midwest League with 19 wild pitches. He is very athletic and should improve at repeating his delivery. The Brewers still think Williams has the talent to make a big leap at some point.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #10 prospect in 2016
  Lacking a first-round pick in the 2013 draft, the Brewers made Williams the focal point of their class by choosing him with their top selection in the second round. He spent two seasons in Rookie ball before joining the low Class A Wisconsin rotation in mid-May 2015 after he worked through an arm issue in extended spring training. Williams has a live, loose arm and free-and-easy delivery. As he fills out his lanky, 6-foot-3 frame, he could sit more comfortably in the upper registers of his 92-95 mph velocity range. His fastball features good movement and downward action. Williams mixes in a plus changeup with deception and downward movement and an improved slider in the mid-80s. He lost his release point at times at Wisconsin, resulting in 19 wild pitches, and his walk rate ticked up to 3.6 per nine innings. He continues to work on repeating his delivery to improve his control, but the Brewers love his pitcher's body and athleticism. Williams had maturity issues at the outset of his career, so the Brewers have moved him cautiously, but he could be just a few small tweaks away from a breakthrough. He seems destined to begin 2016 at high Class A Brevard County as he reaches for a ceiling of mid-rotation starter.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #8 prospect in 2015
  The Brewers didn't have a first-round pick in 2013, but they considered Williams a borderline first-round talent when they took him in the second round. They signed him for $1.25 million to forego a scholarship to Missouri. Williams acquitted himself well in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2013, holding opponents to a .215 average, but the Brewers bumped the 19-year-old only to Rookie-level Helena in 2014 because they wanted him to get his feet on the ground. Williams has a live arm, throwing his two-seam fastball in the 88-92 mph range and getting his four-seamer up to 95. When he keeps his front shoulder closed, Williams has an easy arm action and shows a feel for three pitches. His breaking ball is more of a slurve that he throws in the low 80s with good command. His changeup has good fade and sink and keeps hitters off his fastball. The Brewers were impressed with his improved maturity while pitching in the instructional league in the fall. The Brewers like Williams' athleticism and free-and-easy delivery, and at some point he might take a big leap. Until that happens, the Brewers intend to proceed cautiously, and he probably will join low Class A Wisconsin to start the 2015 season.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #9 prospect in 2014
  The Brewers didn't have a first-round pick in 2013 because they forfeited it to sign Kyle Lohse in late March. Accordingly, they were pleased to select Williams, whom they regarded as a late-first-round talent. His velocity increased dramatically the previous fall at the World Wood Bat Association World Championships, and he continued to show that heat as a West High senior. Williams pitches in the 88-92 mph range with his two-seam fastball and can hit 95 with his four-seamer. The Brewers believe his velocity will increase with time as he fills out his lanky frame. Williams can get out of whack at times with his mechanics, but when he keeps his front shoulder closed, he has a loose, easy delivery and shows a feel for three pitches. His breaking ball is a hybrid curve and slider at times, but when he stays on top of it, it has a sharp break at the knees in the low 80s. His changeup has fade and sink and keeps hitters off-balance. Both secondary pitches are inconsistent but have the potential to be plus pitches. The Brewers often used the word "upside" after drafting Williams. They coveted his athleticism and free-and-easy arm action, and they paid him $1.35 million to forgo a Missouri scholarship. He could be headed for low Class A Wisconsin if he looks good in camp.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #43 prospect in 2013 draft
  Scouts noted Williams' projectable frame at last summer's USA Baseball Breakthrough Series, where the 6-foot-3, 172-pounder worked at 85-88 mph from a loose, easy delivery. He has reached his fastball velocity sooner than anticipated, jumping to 91-93 mph last fall at the World Wood Bat Association World Championships and often showing the same heat this spring. He usually pitches at 88-92 mph with his two-seam fastball and can approach 95 with his four-seamer. Though Williams is inconsistent with his mechanics and his stuff, when he's at his best he stays closed and direct with his delivery and exhibits feel for three pitches. His breaking ball can get slurvy but also can be a low-80s slider at the knees, and his fading, sinking changeup can throw hitters off balance. He's athletic and his arm works well. A Missouri recruit, Williams has looked like a first-round pick at times. While there's speculation that the Cardinals could take the suburban St. Louis product at No. 28, he fits better in the second round.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #16 prospect in 2014
  No PL pitcher drew as diverse a range of opinions as Williams, who signed for $1.35 million as the Brewers' top pick in 2013. After a dreadful start to the season--his ERA stood at 5.94 through eight appearances--he pulled things together to go 2-2, 2.70 in his final seven outings, with 33 strikeouts and six walks in 30 innings. Williams is an athletic upside prospect who does a good job of controlling his offspeed pitches. He needs to improve the command of his fastball, which ranges from 90-91 mph and touches 94. He throws the pitch with a good arm path and deception, factors that help his changeup play up. His low-80s slider improved with more frequent use as the season progressed."He got to a point where he started to understand the professional game this year," Helena manager Tony Diggs said. "It showed not only in his lifting and workout regimen, but it showed in his day-to-day regimen as well."
• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #12 prospect in 2013
  Having lost their first-round pick as compensation for signing free agent pitcher Kyle Lohse, the Brewers went with a pair of projectable high school players with their two second-round picks, taking Williams first and later grabbing shortstop Tucker Neuhaus. Both played in the AZL. Williams, who signed for $1.35 million, pitched impressively at times, with a fastball that touched 94-96 mph and was generally in the 91-93 range. His other quality offering is a changeup that he delivers at 81-82 mph with good feel. It?s an average pitch now but projects to be above-average in time. His low-80s slider is behind his other pitches at this point. Tall and lanky, Williams struggles with his control, in part due to a rough delivery that ends with a head jerk towards first base. The Brewers believe that he?ll get a boost in velocity and better command with a smoother delivery. ?(Williams) adapted to the pro game real quickly,? AZL Brewers pitching coach Steve Cline said. ?He?s a very athletic kid with good eye-hand coordination.?

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williams long has been considered to have one of the best arms in the organization but suffered a setback when Tommy John surgery forced him to miss the entire 2017 season. He got back on the mound in 2018 for 14 starts at high Class A Carolina, but it wasn’t until last year at Double-A Biloxi that he used some added muscle to get his velocity back in a big way, throwing his fastball in the mid-tohigh 90s, at times touching 100 mph. Accordingly, he became more aggressive with that pitch, attacking hitters up in the zone with late life, increasing his strikeout rate.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: He still flashes a sharp-breaking slider in the upper 80s but has gotten better feel for his changeup, which dips more than 10 mph below the velocity of his fastball and provides a new weapon that helped him dominate Double-A hitters (.181 batting average). Williams eventually was bumped up to Triple-A San Antonio, then to Milwaukee for his major league debut. Much of his newfound success came after being moved from a starting role to relief, with an appearance in the Futures Game signaling a return to prospect status. He made strides with his command but still has some work to do there.
  
  THE FUTURE: Just like that, Williams’ career is back on track. He will get a shot to make the Brewers’ bullpen in the spring as a multi-inning reliever.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williams long has been considered to have one of the best arms in the organization but suffered a setback when Tommy John surgery forced him to miss the entire 2017 season. He got back on the mound in 2018 for 14 starts at high Class A Carolina, but it wasn't until last year at Double-A Biloxi that he used some added muscle to get his velocity back in a big way, throwing his fastball in the mid-tohigh 90s, at times touching 100 mph. Accordingly, he became more aggressive with that pitch, attacking hitters up in the zone with late life, increasing his strikeout rate.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: He still flashes a sharp-breaking slider in the upper 80s but has gotten better feel for his changeup, which dips more than 10 mph below the velocity of his fastball and provides a new weapon that helped him dominate Double-A hitters (.181 batting average). Williams eventually was bumped up to Triple-A San Antonio, then to Milwaukee for his major league debut. Much of his newfound success came after being moved from a starting role to relief, with an appearance in the Futures Game signaling a return to prospect status. He made strides with his command but still has some work to do there.
  
  THE FUTURE: Just like that, Williams' career is back on track. He will get a shot to make the Brewers' bullpen in the spring as a multi-inning reliever.