Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams, during a spring training session in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is working to turn around a challenging 2025 season through significant pitch adjustments. After struggling with performance inconsistencies and losing his closer role, Williams aims to improve results by reshaping his pitching strategy in 2026.
During 2025, Williams posted a 4.79 ERA, far exceeding his expected 3.02 ERA, with a .296 batting average on balls put in play against him. Despite advanced tracking and biometric data showing these numbers, Williams and the Mets coaching staff recognize that a measure of unfortunate circumstances contributed to the downturn in his effectiveness.
Changes Planned to Improve Pitch Arsenal
Williams, who had abandoned his cutter in recent years, intends to reincorporate it along with adding a traditional gyro slider to his repertoire in 2026. This expansion is designed not only to diversify his pitching mix but also to better protect his signature pitches, especially the fastball and changeup.
“But I think it’s going to allow me to protect my changeup and fastball and give guys a different look and a different shape to look out for.”
These moves come in response to hitters adapting to Williams’ unique “Airbender” changeup, which, while still highly effective due to its remarkable movement and high-spin screwball action, became more predictable to batters last season. The refinements are meant to support this dominant pitch by creating uncertainty for hitters.
Addressing the Issue of Predictability and Tipping Pitches
Concerns about pitch tipping arose following a crucial home run by Pete Alonso in the 2024 Wild Card Series, leading to speculation that Williams might be telegraphing his pitches. While Williams previously dismissed this notion, Mets pitching coach Justin Willard acknowledges the potential issue linked to differing arm angles between his fastball and changeup. Willard explains that, although usually subtle, these differences can sometimes be detectable.
“He had some bad luck early on,”
“That’s baseball. It’s just part of the game we play.”
– Justin Willard, Mets pitching coach
“Sometimes he flirts with that bubble.”
– Justin Willard, Mets pitching coach
“Generally, he’s in a really good spot,”
– Justin Willard, Mets pitching coach
“I think a little bit of it is just predictability,”
“I think when you have a pitch named after you — you have the Airbender, you have the ghost fork, you have these things — hitters are generally going to game-plan for that because it’s so good. It’s just understanding how do we build the arsenal to maximize that pitch? It’s still a really good pitch, but how do we complement the rest of the arsenal to make that even more effective?”
– Justin Willard, Mets pitching coach
Strategic Use of Velocity and Pitch Movement
Williams’ pitching approach revolves around the speed differential among his fastball, changeup, and cutter. His fastball and changeup have a velocity gap exceeding 10 mph, while the cutter is about 4 mph slower than his fastball. This variation aims to mislead hitters into anticipating a fastball before a cutter or changeup arrives, causing weak contact or ground balls.
“Recognize that something hard [is coming] and think it’s fastball,”
“Then it comes in on their hands.”
– Justin Willard, Mets pitching coach
“Any doubt you can put in the hitters’ minds, they’re like, ‘What the hell? What was that? That’s not what I was expecting at all!’ That allows us to get in a better spot and continue to be on the attack.”
– Justin Willard, Mets pitching coach
“Oh, OK, this is up. I think it’s going to be a changeup and it’s not. It’s breaking in on my hands,” and I get weak contact for a ground ball.
– Justin Willard, Mets pitching coach
Williams’ Determined Approach Amid Challenges
Following a frustrating 2025, where bad luck overshadowed many of his performances, Williams is resolute in making proactive changes rather than relying on chance. By reintroducing the cutter and implementing the gyro slider, he hopes to reduce predictability and regain the dominance that once made him one of baseball’s most effective relief pitchers. His adjustments are a testament to his commitment to adapt and find better outcomes in the complex and often unpredictable sport of baseball.
