Rotation or Bullpen? Assessing Trevor Williams’ Role
Trevor Williams faced a familiar challenge in his third start of the spring: allowing another leadoff home run, a recurring issue that plagued him throughout the 2023 season and has persisted into this year’s early games.
“It’s become an unfortunate trend,” acknowledged Williams last July, as quoted by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman. “I should just give up one in the bullpen before the game and go from there,” he joked.
Williams, who will turn 32 this April, had a mixed performance last year, posting a 5.55 ERA, 5.98 FIP, 53 walks, and 111 strikeouts in 144 1⁄3 innings across 30 starts for the Washington Nationals. Notably, he allowed 34 home runs, with ten of them occurring in the first inning. This spring, he faced similar challenges, surrendering home runs to the first batters he faced in back-to-back outings.
Despite these struggles, Williams showed resilience in subsequent innings, often retiring multiple batters in a row. However, inconsistencies persisted, as seen in his fourth start against the Minnesota Twins, where he gave up five runs in five innings.
With Spring Training nearing its end, the Nationals face a decision regarding Williams’ role for the upcoming season. Manager Davey Martinez emphasized the need for a reliable middle reliever capable of pitching multiple innings, suggesting that Williams could fill this role.
“As we finalize our rotation, we’ll assess where Williams fits best,” Martinez stated, emphasizing the team’s focus on readiness and flexibility as they prepare for the regular season.
As Spring Training draws to a close, the question remains: Will Williams secure a spot in the starting rotation, or will he transition to a bullpen role, potentially serving as a versatile reliever? Only time will tell.
Game-Winning Heroics: Nationals Seal Victory in Dramatic Fashion
In a rollercoaster matchup, Davey Martinez’s Nationals held a commanding 5-0 lead after three innings, only to see the Twins mount a formidable comeback, tying the game at 8-8 heading into the bottom of the ninth. However, a clutch performance by the Nationals’ young outfielders turned the tide.
James Wood – Washington Nationals (4)* pic.twitter.com/blp2xv9MRu
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) March 21, 2024
21-year-old James Wood ignited the rally with a powerful home run to lead off the inning, marking his fourth homer of the spring. Alex Call followed up with a timely single, stealing second base to position himself as the potential winning run. With two outs, Dylan Crews stepped up to the plate and delivered a walk-off hit, securing a thrilling 9-8 victory for the Nationals.
Nats get their first walk-off win of the spring thanks to James Wood’s game-tying homer and Dylan Crews’ game-winning single. pic.twitter.com/wIRKwWHzPx
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) March 21, 2024
Martinez praised the composure and focus displayed by Wood and Crews in the high-pressure situation, emphasizing their ability to remain calm and execute when it mattered most.
“They’re not afraid of a big moment, and they stay in the moment,” Martinez remarked after the game, as quoted on Nationals.com. “Both of them were very calm, understood what they needed to do up there and both did a great job.”
Martinez’s sentiments echoed those of GM and President of Baseball Ops Mike Rizzo, who highlighted Wood and Crews’ confidence and poise in pivotal situations.
“They have absolutely no panic in their system at all, there’s nothing too big for them,” Rizzo affirmed in a recent MLB Network Radio interview.
The dramatic walk-off victory not only showcased the talent of the Nationals’ young prospects but also underscored their potential to make significant contributions to the team’s success in the future.
Dylan Crews goes for a walk with his mustache and talks 2024 prep, instincts, and being his best self.
🗣️ Touch ‘Em All, @__dc4__ pic.twitter.com/zZCEdYs20H
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) March 21, 2024
