Reds' Brandon Williamson: Serves up three long balls
Rotowire
Williamson allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Williamson looked to be in for an early hook after giving up six runs over the first three innings, but he managed to retire 10 of the final 11 batters he faced and completed 5.2 frames. The southpaw was tagged for six extra-base hits, three of which left the park. Williamson had given up three long balls across his first four outings combined, but he had struggled on that front at the Triple-A level prior to being called up in mid-May, surrendering seven homers over 34 frames. Though Williamson has looked good at times during his rookie campaign, his overall 5.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 21:13 K:BB make him an unexciting fantasy option in redraft leagues.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Posts first quality start of career
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Williamson did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings in a 5-4 loss against the Brewers. He struck out six.
Williamson notched his first career quality start and tied his season high with six strikeouts. The left-hander was called up in mid-May and has been a hit-or-miss player through his first four starts at the big-league level. He allowed eight runs (seven earned) while recording more walks (seven) than strikeouts (six) over his past two starts, but he held the Rockies to just one run over 5.2 innings at Coors Field in his MLB debut and was sharp versus Milwaukee on Friday. Williamson's next start is tentatively slated to come against the Dodgers, and barring an injury, he figures to remain in the rotation until Nick Lodolo (lower leg) is activated off the injured list.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Struggles again
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Williamson allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Saturday.
This was pretty similar to Williamson's last outing, though this was the first time in three starts he's avoided giving up a home run. He threw 52 of 81 pitches for strikes Saturday, but he's now logged a 12:9 K:BB over his first 14.1 major-league innings. Getting the walk rate under control would go a long way to solidifying his place on the Reds' roster. He's added a 5.02 ERA and 1.47 WHIP so far, numbers he'll look to improve upon in a tough tentative home start versus the Brewers next week.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Serves up four runs in no-decision
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Williamson did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks over 4.1 innings during a 6-5 win over St. Louis in 10 innings. He struck out three.
Williamson was spotted an early 2-0 lead, but that was squandered after he allowed a go-ahead three-run homer to Paul DeJong. The Reds answered back with a two-run blast of their own, and that score held until Williamson surrendered a game-tying RBI double to Lars Nootbaar in the fifth. The young pitcher didn't look as sharp as he did during his MLB debut last week, but he figures to remain in the rotation for a while, as Nick Lodolo is expected to miss extended time while dealing with a stress reaction in his left tibia.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: To make next start Monday
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Williamson will make his second major-league start Monday at home against the Cardinals, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Williamson looked sharp in his debut for the Reds this past Tuesday versus the Rockies, tallying six strikeouts over 5.2 innings of one-run ball. St. Louis has picked it up offensively, but the 25-year-old left-hander might be worthy of streaming consideration given Tuesday's results and his prospect pedigree.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Strong in MLB debut
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Williamson did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against Colorado. He struck out six.
Despite getting a tough draw for his MLB debut coming at hitter-friendly Coors Field, Williamson came through for those who were willing to take a shot on the rookie, delivering six strikeouts over 5.2 innings while allowing just two hits. After posting a poor 6.62 ERA across 34 Triple-A innings this season, managers shouldn't go all-in on the southpaw based on Tuesday's outing. Though Williamson could carry some streaming appeal moving forward, he's currently expected to take the mound this weekend during a three-game homestand against the Yankees, who have hit the fourth most home runs and scored the 10th most runs in MLB this year.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Promoted for MLB debut
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The Reds recalled Williamson from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
As anticipated, Williamson will make his MLB debut in a start Tuesday night against the Rockies. The game is at Coors Field and Williamson had struggled to a 6.62 ERA and 1.88 WHIP through 34 innings this season at Triple-A, so he's probably more of a wait-and-see type in fantasy. The 25-year-old left-hander could carry streaming appeal in more favorable matchups down the line.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Confirmed as Tuesday's starter
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Williamson will be called up from Triple-A Louisville to start Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Williamson had already joined the Reds' taxi squad ahead of Monday's series opener in Coors Field, and as expected, he'll be thrust into the rotation for what will be a traditional start in his MLB debut. Even in a more pitcher-friendly venue than Coors Field, Williamson would be difficult to recommend as a streaming option, given that he hasn't looked especially sharp in the minors this season. Over eight starts in the International league, Williamson posted a 6.62 ERA and 1.88 WHIP with a 27:20 K:BB across 34 frames.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Set for MLB debut Tuesday
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Williamson will make his major-league debut Tuesday in Colorado, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
It hasn't been determined yet whether Williamson will make a traditional start or pitch after an opener, but either way he's slated to handle the bulk of the workload for Cincinnati on Tuesday. Williamson's numbers at Triple-A Louisville have been poor, although he has pitched better lately. He's a nice prospect but isn't a recommended fantasy option in Colorado.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Reassigned to minor-league camp
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Williamson was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Reds on Friday.
Williamson pitched well early on this spring as he gunned for a spot in the Reds' rotation, but he struggled in recent outings to punch his ticket to Triple-A Louisville. The left-hander still figures to make a decent number of starts with the big club this season.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Smoked in final Cactus League start
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Williamson gave up nine earned runs on eight hits and three walks against the Mariners on Thursday in his final spring training start.
Williamson made some good impressions early on in spring training, but he hasn't looked ready for prime time in his recent outings and is coming off a tough year at Triple-A in 2022. It wouldn't be a shock if he was ticketed for Louisville again to begin 2023.
Williamson threw his fastball with more velocity than last spring in Saturday's live batting practice session, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He has a really good feel for all of his pitches," Reds catcher Luke Maile said. "He threw a few changeups that were outstanding. He's moving his fastball around really well. He has such a clean delivery."
Williamson is hoping to win a spot in the Reds rotation, though he's likely behind Luis Cessa and Luke Weaver, among others, for the final two spots. He had a tough 2022 campaign as he advanced levels in a new organization after the Reds traded for him last spring, but said that he's improved his throwing routine and hopes to yield better results in 2023.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Finds success in second Triple-A start
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Williamson worked six innings in his second start for Triple-A Louisville on July 8, striking out four while allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk.
Williamson was roughed up for four runs in four innings in his first start with Louisville earlier this month, but the 24-year-old lefty showed better form his second time out with the Triple-A club and tied a season high by covering six frames. He was promoted to Louisville on June 28 after submitting a 4.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 74:40 K:BB across 67.1 innings in 14 outings with Double-A Chattanooga.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Working around control issues
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Williamson has a 3.97 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 48:25 K:BB across 45.1 innings for Double-A Chattanooga.
The 24-year-old lefty never ran into significant control issues when he was in the Mariners organization, but this year has been different. Williamson's issued at least three walks in five of his nine starts, but on the bright side, three of those came in his first four outings of the season. Across his last five games, he's put up a 2.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 29 innings, which is closer to what the Reds expected from him. If he can find a way to keep the walks in check consistently, he should move up to Triple-A at some point this summer.
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Reds' Brandon Williamson: Traded to Cincinnati
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Williamson, Jake Fraley and Justin Dunn were traded from the Mariners to the Reds on Monday in exchange for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Williamson was one of Seattle's top pitching prospects and is a key piece of the deal for Cincinnati. The 23-year-old began 2021 at the High-A level before being promoted to Double-A, where he rebounded from tough start and finished with a 3.48 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 94:23 K:BB across 67.1 innings (13 starts). A 2019 second-round pick, Williamson has limited professional experience but could debut later this summer if he has continued success in the upper levels.
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Mariners' Brandon Williamson: Challenged at Double-A
Rotowire
Williamson has had a tough time in his first three Double-A starts, giving up 11 runs on 18 hits with a 13:6 K:BB through 14 innings.
That stands in stark contrast to his performance with High-A Everett, where Williamson pitched to a 3.19 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a mind-bending 17.1 K/9. The big lefty has certainly been hit hard since being promoted to Double-A, but it's a small sample, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him get right soon. There's a fairly high level of variance with Williamson, as he could end up as a mid-rotation starter or a bullpen guy. As is often the case for pitching prospects, command refinement and further development of his offspeed stuff are the keys to his future.
