New York Mets fans experienced immediate unease when Devin Williams gave up a long home run on the very first pitch he threw during a Spring Training game against the St. Louis Cardinals on February 27. The batter, Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt, crushed a center-cut pitch 421 feet, setting off worries about Williams’ potential struggles with his new team. Given Williams’ difficult 2025 season with the New York Yankees, the reaction was understandable.
Why the Early Struggles Are Misleading
However, the home run came on a pitch that Williams rarely, if ever, used last season—a cutter. In fact, he did not throw a single cutter during the entire 2025 MLB season, suggesting this pitch was part of a new approach Williams was experimenting with during the preseason. Quickly, it became clear this pitch might not fit his repertoire moving forward, and Williams likely won’t rely on it much after Wetherholt’s success against it.
Williams’ Core Strengths Remain Intact
The cutter that led to the home run is not representative of Williams’ usual offerings. His standard fastball, which has shown dominance throughout his career, along with his signature off-speed pitches, remain his primary weapons. February games often serve as a testing ground for pitchers to refine their craft and identify which pitches to keep or discard, and this early outing reflects just that process.
Reassurance for Mets Fans and What Lies Ahead
With the cutter likely set aside, there is little reason for Mets fans to worry about Williams’ ability to bounce back this season. His history with the Brewers demonstrated his potential and effectiveness, and the Mets acquired him with the expectation that he would return to that level. Though early setbacks are understandable given his previous season’s struggles, these preseason trials are common and necessary for players adjusting to new routines and teams.
As Spring Training continues, the Mets will closely watch Williams fine-tune his pitching, aiming to recapture the form that made him a valuable asset. For now, the initial jitters should be tempered by the knowledge that pitchers often adjust their strategies early in the year, and Williams appears to be following that familiar path.
