Brewers' Hader lobbies for teammate Williams to win Reliever of the Year
Rookie Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams has some significant support in an effort to secure the NL Reliever of the Year award.
Teammate Josh Hader - a winner of the award in 2018 and 2019 - thinks the right-handed Williams deserves the honor over all rivals.
"It's not a question," Hader said, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. "The things that he's been able to do, especially as a rookie coming in. It's the confidence. I (would) definitely pass along my vote for him."
Williams, a second-round pick in 2013, has been borderline untouchable out of the Brewers' bullpen this season. He's authored a 0.36 ERA and 0.60 WHIP with 52 strikeouts in 25 innings while leading all qualified relievers with 1.4 FanGraphs WAR.
Armed with the most devastating changeup in baseball, and possibly the best pitch in the game, Williams has baffled hitters all season long
Highest whiff rate on single pitch type, 2020 (min 100 swings at pitch type):
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 23, 2020
Devin Williams changeup: 62.7%
Tyler Glasnow curveball: 53.5%
Shane Bieber knuckle curve: 52.0%
Max Scherzer slider: 51.8%
Dylan Bundy slider: 50.0% pic.twitter.com/FnxOBwgNm3
His 18.72 K/9 would go down in the record books as the highest all time for any pitcher who's ever thrown at least 10 innings in a season.
Josh Hader on Devin Williams: "It's history we're watching." https://t.co/7GWnt1LNZv
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) September 23, 2020
With numbers like that, Williams looks poised to be in the conversation for the National League Rookie of the Year award in addition to being named the league's top reliever.