Honors keep rolling in for All-MLB reliever Williams
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MILWAUKEE -- Brewers closer Devin Williams has again been recognized as one of the best in baseball at his uniquely pressure-packed position -- and this time the fans had a say in the honor.
Williams was named to the All-MLB Second Team presented by MGM Rewards on Saturday, adding another line to the 29-year-old’s already impressive resume. Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase was named to the Second Team alongside Williams, while Orioles closer Félix Bautista and Padres closer Josh Hader were named to the First Team.
It’s the second major honor of this offseason for Williams, who already won the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award this winter for the second time in his career. Williams was also Second Team All-MLB in 2020 after the pandemic-shortened season. That was the year he won the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
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The honors continue to roll in because Williams continued to pile up outs and saves as the Brewers’ late-game stopper. He had 36 saves and a 1.53 ERA in 61 appearances during the 2023 regular season, making a second straight NL All-Star team and striking out better than 37 percent of the hitters he faced for the fourth straight season. He had the lowest opponents’ batting average (.129) of any NL reliever.
All-MLB honors, first established in 2019, recognize the best player or players at each position across the Majors this past season, with both First Team and Second Team selections. Nominees were announced Nov. 8, and half of the results were decided via fan balloting, with the other half coming from a decorated panel of media members, broadcasters, former players and other officials throughout the game. When casting their ballots, voters were asked to consider only performance during the regular season.
The winners were divided into two teams, each with one selection at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and DH, as well as three outfielders (regardless of specific outfield position), five starting pitchers and two relievers.