Brandon Williamson

Active

Cincinnati Reds · Pitcher

Age 286' 6" · 210 lbsThrows Left

FBaseball Overview

Coming off a disappointing 2026 campaign, this 28-year-old right-hander carries significant injury or performance concerns into the new season after seeing his ERA balloon to 6.11 with a 1.64 WHIP across limited innings. His 2024 showed flashes of competence with a respectable 3.77 ERA, but the recent downturn suggests he's struggling to find consistency at the MLB level despite his minor league pedigree as a two-time organization All-Star. Fantasy managers should approach him cautiously as either a deep-league flier or avoid him entirely, as he offers minimal upside in wins, strikeouts, or ERA—the latter two categories being particularly problematic given his bloated ratios. Any meaningful contribution in 2026 would require a significant rebound and likely a clearer role within Cincinnati's pitching mix.

News Updates

Brandon Williamson begins rehab assignment Saturday
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson will start a rehab assignment on Saturday at Double-A Chattanooga after recovering from shoulder and finger injuries. The rehab stint marks a step toward his return to MLB action. Fantasy owners should monitor his progress closely as he works back from the layoff.
Jul 30, 2026
Brandon Williamson cleared to face hitters Wednesday
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson, recovering from a shoulder injury, is scheduled to face hitters on Wednesday as part of his rehab progression. This is a positive sign for his return to game action and suggests he may be nearing the end of his recovery timeline.
Jul 21, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2023	Cincinnati Reds	23	23	5	5	4.46	1.28	98	117.0	39
2024	Cincinnati Reds	4	3	0	0	3.77	1.05	12	14.1	5
2026	Cincinnati Reds	7	7	3	3	5.94	1.65	24	33.1	22
Career	Totals	34	33	8	8	4.70	1.34	134	164.2	66

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2019	Everett AquaSox	10	9	0	0	2.35	0.91	25	15.1	5
2021	2 teams▼	19	19	4	6	3.39	1.18	153	98.1	33
2022	2 teams▼	27	27	6	7	4.11	1.56	123	122.2	77
2023	Louisville Bats	8	8	2	4	6.62	1.88	27	34.0	20
2024	2 teams▼	5	5	0	0	0.55	0.73	15	16.1	4
2026	2 teams▼	6	5	1	2	5.94	1.86	14	16.2	12
Career	Totals	75	73	13	19	3.98	1.41	357	303.1	151

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo92.7 mph

Avg Spin2258 rpm

Whiff %24.3%

K %15.8%

BB %14.5%

Hard Hit %42.7%

Barrel %9.7%

xERA6.31

xBA Against0.270

xSLG Against0.471

BA Against0.266

SLG Against0.444

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2023

Cincinnati Reds

4.46

1.28

117.0

2024

Cincinnati Reds

3.77

1.05

14.1

2026

Cincinnati Reds

5.94

1.65

33.1

Career

Totals

4.70

1.34

134

164.2

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2019

Everett AquaSox

2.35

0.91

15.1

2021

2 teams▼

3.39

1.18

153

98.1

2022

2 teams▼

4.11

1.56

123

122.2

2023

Louisville Bats

6.62

1.88

34.0

2024

2 teams▼

0.55

0.73

16.1

2026

2 teams▼

5.94

1.86

16.2

Career

Totals

3.98

1.41

357

303.1

151