OnlyBucs

What a season this guy has had. Currently 7th in NL ERA (3.04). 6th in wins (14) trailing leaders Scherzer and Lester (17) by only 3. Williams should have a chance to win 15. 9th in WHIP. 7th in best HR/9 IP.



I know there are some who think he's done it with smoke and mirrors and it can't last. But he's been amazingly consistent. He's been unscored upon in 11 of 30 starts involving 9 different teams with all but one (5 IP) being at least 6 IP.



The Pirate pitchers have recorded 16 team shutouts. Williams has started 20% of all games but has been the starter in 9 of those 16 shutouts (56%).



Quote from Brewers mgr Craig Counsell: “He doesn’t miss in the middle of the plate. He doesn’t give you many good pitches to hit. Our guys would tell you they probably got one good pitch to hit each — and that was in three at-bats.”



I think the key is that for a guy who doesn't give the hitters much to hit, his control is good with a very respectable 2.8 BB/9 IP. Guys like Locke and Morton always flirted with the strike zone to avoid throwing hittable strikes but ended up walking too many and falling behind in the count and then having to throw something hittable. Williams is able to avoid throwing meaty pitches while still throwing strikes or borderline pitches too close to take.



I still recall his MLB debut in September 2016 when he got the win in relief and his father came out of the stands to hug him. That was such a nice moment. Who knew Williams would be this dominant 2 years later?

Nice analysis. Trevor was our compensation for Him Benedict from the Braves.

Wiliams also rarely misses like Morton and Locke would miss. The two of them would throw pitches not remotely close the the strike zone. Williams doesn't do that.



I said it a couple of months ago and I'll say it again, he pitches like Greg Maddux. Maddux had good stuff and great control. Williams has good stuff and great control. He doesn't flirt with the strike zone. He pounds the zone but always on the edges. The proof is that he doesn't need a generous umpire to be successful. Many around here (myself included) often blamed umpires every so often on Morton's defense for not giving him a strike that would have changed an inning. Williams throws so many quality pitches, a missed call from the ump isn't an issue. He is so constantly good with his pitches, it is crazy.

Trevor is a joy to watch. He is a true artisan on the mound. His delivery is refined and the deception he creates more than offsets a comparative lack of velocity.



Locke seemed reluctant to pitch through the strike zone. He always wanted to nibble from outside the zone, often failing to entice the batter. Williams uses every segment of the zone, forcing hitters to cover all areas of the plate, but rarely leaving a pitch in a prone area of the zone. My hope is his style and success will influence other pitchers in the organization.

Williams is surprising much more than what we that he would be. From a long reliever to beging 2017 to a 4-5 starter to begin 2018 to at worst a #2 now and perhaps a co-ace for 2019. I'm happy for him and for the Buccos.

524F6B6967020 wrote: Wiliams also rarely misses like Morton and Locke would miss.  The two of them would throw pitches not remotely close the the strike zone.  Williams doesn't do that.



I said it a couple of months ago and I'll say it again, he pitches like Greg Maddux.  Maddux had good stuff and great control.  Williams has good stuff and great control.  He doesn't flirt with the strike zone.  He pounds the zone but always on the edges.  The proof is that he doesn't need a generous umpire to be successful.  Many around here (myself included) often blamed umpires every so often on Morton's defense for not giving him a strike that would have changed an inning.  Williams throws so many quality pitches, a missed call from the ump isn't an issue.  He is so constantly good with his pitches, it is crazy.
Yup. Maddux is the guy he makes me think of too for exactly the reasons you cite. He even physically resembles him with a similar stature though maybe a little thicker. I wonder if he has studied Maddux as a role model? Let’s hope he can be as consistent.

5B4C5A6D7B7B77180 wrote: Wiliams also rarely misses like Morton and Locke would miss.  The two of them would throw pitches not remotely close the the strike zone.  Williams doesn't do that.



I said it a couple of months ago and I'll say it again, he pitches like Greg Maddux.  Maddux had good stuff and great control.  Williams has good stuff and great control.  He doesn't flirt with the strike zone.  He pounds the zone but always on the edges.  The proof is that he doesn't need a generous umpire to be successful.  Many around here (myself included) often blamed umpires every so often on Morton's defense for not giving him a strike that would have changed an inning.  Williams throws so many quality pitches, a missed call from the ump isn't an issue.  He is so constantly good with his pitches, it is crazy.
Yup. Maddux is the guy he makes me think of too for exactly the reasons you cite. He even physically resembles him with a similar stature though maybe a little thicker. I wonder if he has studied Maddux as a role model?  Let’s hope he can be as consistent.


I think the thing that makes him really difficult to hit is he can work in and out, he can work down, but he is really good at working that upper part of the zone when he wants. Not many pitchers can work all four edges of the plate. Maddox is a good comparison.