Brewers Closer Devin Williams Wins Second Career NL Reliever of the Year Award

For the first time in five years after the conclusion of the 2022 season, the NL Reliever of the Year award ended up somewhere other than Milwaukee. A year later, the trophy has ended up back where it belongs.

Brewers closer Devin Williams was absolutely dominant over the course of the 2023 season, his first full season as the closer for the Crew. On Wednesday night, he was rewarded for his hard work when it was announced that he was the winner of 2023's Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year.

This marks the second time that Williams was named the NL Reliever of the Year. He previously won the award after the 2020 season, the same year he burst on the scene as a rookie and also took home the NL Rookie of the Year award.

Brewers closer Devin Williams dominated opposing batters on the way to his second career NL Reliever of the Year award.

Looking at the numbers, it's no surprise that Williams was honored once again. He went 8-3 with a 1.53 ERA, 0.920 WHIP, 13.3 K/9, and 36 saves. He was also named to the All-Star game, though he didn't end up making an appearance, and even received a vote for National League MVP.

Williams went through some very dominant in-season streaks in 2023. He began the season giving up just one run in his first 21 appearances. After a rough 22nd outing, he went on to give up just three runs over his next 30 games.

Of course, one of Williams's strongest competitors for the award was an ex-teammate in Josh Hader. The former Brewers southpaw brought the award to Milwaukee three times in his career but was unable to bring it to San Diego this season.

The other runner-up for the award was a fellow NL Central closer, David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He actually led the National League in saves with 39 but finished behind Williams in most other pitching categories.

Like Hader last year, the Brewers are reaching a decision point with Williams. 2024 is his second year of arbitration and the second to last season of team control for Milwaukee. Unless an extension is in the cards, the Brewers might soon need to find another new pitcher to bring NL Reliever of the Year trophies to Milwaukee.