Brandon Williamson (baseball)

Brandon Williamson
Brandon Williamson in 2022
Cincinnati Reds – No. 55
Pitcher
Born: (1998-04-02) April 2, 1998 (age 25)
Fairmont, Minnesota, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 16, 2023, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record5–5
Earned run average4.46
Strikeouts98
Teams

Brandon Martin Williamson (born April 2, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Amateur career

Williamson attended Martin County West High School in Sherburn, Minnesota, and played college baseball at North Iowa Area Community College and Texas Christian University (TCU). He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 36th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft out of North Iowa but did not sign and transferred to TCU.[1]

Professional career

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners selected Williamson in the second round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft and he signed.[2][3] Williamson made his professional debut with the Everett AquaSox, posting a 2.35 ERA over 15+1⁄3 innings.[4] Due to the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he did not pitch for a team, but was a member of the Mariners' 60-man player pool.[5][6] Williamson returned to Everett to start 2021 and was promoted to the Arkansas Travelers during the season.[7] Over 19 starts between the two teams, he went 4–6 with a 3.39 ERA and 153 strikeouts over 98+1⁄3 innings.[8]

Cincinnati Reds

On March 14, 2022, the Mariners traded Williamson, Justin Dunn, Jake Fraley, and a player to be named later (Connor Phillips) to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez.[9][10] Williamson began the 2022 season with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts before receiving a promotion to the Triple-A Louisville Bats later in the season. In 27 starts between the two, he worked to a 6–7 record and 4.11 ERA with 123 strikeouts in 122.2 innings pitched.[11] On November 15, 2022, the Reds added Williamson to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[12]

After making a push for a spot in the Reds’ rotation during spring training, Williamson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to begin the 2023 season.[13] In 8 starts, he struggled to a 2–4 record and 6.62 ERA with 27 strikeouts. On May 15, 2023, the Reds announced that Williamson would make his debut the next day as the starting pitcher against the Colorado Rockies.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Williamson drafted by Brewers; opts for TCU". Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Mariners select LHP Brandon Williamson 59th overall in 2019 MLB Draft". MLB.com.
  3. ^ "Williamson drafted 59th, to sign contract with Mariners". Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  4. ^ Horton, Joshua (June 30, 2019). "Brandon Williamson: From humble beginnings to prominence". HeraldNet.com.
  5. ^ "Mariners' pitching prospect Williamson hopes for better birthday in 2021". Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  6. ^ Smith, Lauren (12 July 2020). "Pitching prospect Brandon Williamson taking advantage of chance to train with Mariners". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  7. ^ "AquaSox pitcher Williamson promoted to Double-A Arkansas". June 18, 2021.
  8. ^ "Brandon Williamson is Right Where He Needs to be".
  9. ^ "Mariners Acquire INF Eugenio Suárez & OF Jesse Winker from Cincinnati". March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  10. ^ "Mariners Send Minor League RHP Connor Phillips To Cincinnati as PTBNL in Suárez-Winker Trade". March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  11. ^ "Reds' Brandon Williamson: Find success in second Triple-A start". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  12. ^ "De La Cruz, Marte among 6 added to Reds' 40-man spot". mlb.com. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  13. ^ "Reds' Brandon Williamson: Reassigned to minor-league camp". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  14. ^ "Reds' Brandon Williamson: Set for MLB debut Tuesday". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.

External links