The New York Yankees brought Devin Williams to the Bronx expecting him to be a dominant closer, but his recent performance has been marked by inconsistency and a concerning 5.44 ERA in August. His ongoing inability to control his fastball has created struggles at a time when the playoff race intensifies, placing increasing pressure on the pitcher and the team alike.

Sharp Decline in Effectiveness Reflects Loss of Fastball Control

Williams entered the season known for his overpowering strikeout ability, having struck out nearly 43 percent of batters last year. This year, that figure has plummeted to just below 30 percent, signaling trouble. The core issue is appearing to be a loss of command over his fastball, which has diminished his overall effectiveness on the mound.

Pitching coach Matt Blake acknowledged the problem plainly.

We’ve got to keep working to find the fastball command,

Blake said in an interview with NJ Advance Media.

Fastball Troubles Undermine Pitching Strategy and Execution

When Williams is pitching well, his fastball allows him to seize the advantage early in counts, setting up his signature, nearly unhittable airbender changeup. However, this balance has been lost, and Williams often finds himself falling behind batters. Consequently, he is forced to rely on his changeup when hitters are prepared, stripping him of the element of surprise and making his pitches easier to read and connect with.

The result is a predictable approach that lacks the shut-down effectiveness previously seen in his outings.

Escalating Control Issues Lead to Walks, Home Runs, and Runner Clusters

The breakdown in command has led to an increase in walks, home runs allowed, and critical jams with runners in scoring position. Hitters are less inclined to chase his changeup now because the fastball—once a dependable strike pitch—has grown unreliable.

Williams also struggles to strand runners, with a left-on-base percentage of only 55.6 percent, highlighting his difficulty in escaping tight situations. While some of these struggles might be attributed to bad luck, most stem from failure to execute when it matters most.

The Pressure of New York Amplifies Challenges on the Mound

The intense scrutiny of Yankee Stadium adds to the difficulty Williams is facing. Working under constant pressure in such a high-profile environment can amplify any pitching struggles, especially for a precision-reliant arm like his.

Blake commented on the mental aspects impacting Williams, stating,

It’s harder to avoid the noise,

followed by,

But he’s shown he’s capable of managing it in spurts here.

This ongoing battle between mental focus and the unforgiving spotlight underscores the seriousness of his situation.

A Promising Midseason Run Revealed Williams’ Potential

Between May 7 and July 13, Williams demonstrated the form the Yankees had hoped to see. During this period, he maintained a stellar 1.90 ERA and converted all nine of his save opportunities, showing flashes of the dominance he displayed earlier in his career.

This stretch confirmed that when Williams can regain control of his fastball, he has the capacity to be a game-changing pitcher late in contests.

Next Steps Could Include Redefining Role to Regain Confidence

With the playoff race tightening, the Yankees are unlikely to allow Williams to work through his command issues in the high-pressure ninth inning. A potential reset in lower-leverage situations may offer him the opportunity to rebuild confidence and refine his mechanics away from the spotlight.

If Williams can rediscover his fastball command and rhythm, he remains a valuable asset for the Yankees down the stretch. However, until that foundation is restored, his struggles could continue to impact critical games.

Once viewed as an untouchable closer in Milwaukee, Williams’ time in the Bronx has been a humbling adjustment period. His talent remains evident, but like a pianist unable to find middle C, he must reestablish his core control to regain his former dominance.