Gavin Williams

Active

Cleveland Guardians · Pitcher

Age 266' 6" · 250 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

Williams enters 2026 as a reliable mid-rotation starter for Cleveland, coming off a solid 2025 campaign that saw him post a 3.06 ERA with 173 strikeouts across 167.2 innings. While his ERA ticked up slightly to 3.81 this season and his strikeout rate decreased proportionally, he maintains strong volume with 117 Ks and continues to accumulate wins, recording 9 victories through his 101.2 innings pitched. His WHIP has improved year-over-year to 1.17, suggesting better command and control despite the ERA uptick, which could signal positive regression ahead. Fantasy managers should view Williams as a consistent depth starter who offers solid strikeout production and ERA contribution, though he remains unlikely to post eye-popping numbers in any single category or reach ace-level status.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2023	Cleveland Guardians	16	16	3	5	3.29	1.26	81	82.0	37
2024	Cleveland Guardians	16	16	3	10	4.86	1.37	79	76.0	32
2025	Cleveland Guardians	31	31	12	5	3.06	1.27	173	167.2	83
2026	Cleveland Guardians	18	18	9	4	3.89	1.18	123	106.1	36
Career	Totals	81	81	27	24	3.63	1.26	456	431.3	188

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
2022	2 teams▼	25	25	5	4	1.96	0.95	149	115	40
2023	2 teams▼	12	12	4	2	2.39	0.98	81	60.1	24
2024	2 teams▼	6	6	1	0	4.76	1.47	24	17	7
Career	Totals	43	43	10	6	2.34	1.00	254	192.1	71

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

Game Log2026 season

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Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo96.8 mph

Avg Spin2262 rpm

Whiff %29.9%

K %28.3%

BB %8.3%

Hard Hit %48.3%

Barrel %12.4%

xERA4.55

xBA Against0.247

xSLG Against0.443

BA Against0.228

SLG Against0.406

GB%47.3%

FB%22.7%

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

Cleveland Guardians

3.29

1.26

82.0

2024

Cleveland Guardians

4.86

1.37

76.0

2025

Cleveland Guardians

3.06

1.27

173

167.2

2026

Cleveland Guardians

3.89

1.18

123

106.1

Career

Totals

3.63

1.26

456

431.3

188

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2022

2 teams▼

1.96

0.95

149

115

2023

2 teams▼

2.39

0.98

60.1

2024

2 teams▼

4.76

1.47

Career

Totals

2.34

1.00

254

192.1