| Brandon Williamson | |
|---|---|
 Williamson in 2022 | |
| Cincinnati Reds – No. 65 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1998-04-02)April 2, 1998 (age 27) Fairmont, Minnesota, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 16, 2023, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 5–5 |
| Earned run average | 4.39 |
| Strikeouts | 110 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Brandon Martin Williamson (born April 2, 1998) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theCincinnati Reds ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.
Williamson attended Martin County West High School inSherburn, Minnesota, and playedcollege baseball atNorth Iowa Area Community College andTexas Christian University (TCU). He was drafted by theMilwaukee Brewers in the 36th round of the2018 Major League Baseball draft out of North Iowa but did not sign and transferred to TCU.[1]
TheSeattle Mariners selected Williamson in the second round of the2019 Major League Baseball draft and he signed.[2][3] Williamson made his professional debut with theEverett AquaSox, posting a 2.35 ERA over15+1⁄3 innings.[4] Due to the cancellation of the 2020Minor League Baseball season caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic, he did not pitch for a team, but was a member of the Mariners' 60-man player pool.[5][6] Williamson returned to Everett to start 2021 and was promoted to theArkansas Travelers during the season.[7] Over 19 starts between the two teams, he went 4–6 with a 3.39 ERA and 153 strikeouts over98+1⁄3 innings.[8]
On March 14, 2022, the Mariners traded Williamson,Justin Dunn,Jake Fraley, and aplayer to be named later (Connor Phillips) to theCincinnati Reds in exchange forJesse Winker andEugenio Suárez.[9][10] Williamson began the 2022 season with the Double-AChattanooga Lookouts before receiving a promotion to the Triple-ALouisville Bats later in the season. In 27 starts between the two, he worked to a 6–7 record and 4.11 ERA with 123 strikeouts in122+2⁄3 innings pitched.[11] On November 15, the Reds added Williamson to their40-man roster to protect him from theRule 5 draft.[12]
After making a push for a spot in the Reds’ rotation during spring training, Williamson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to begin the 2023 season.[13] In 8 starts, he struggled to a 2–4 record and 6.62 ERA with 27 strikeouts. On May 15, 2023, the Reds announced that Williamson would make his debut the next day as the starting pitcher against theColorado Rockies.[14] In 23 starts during his rookie campaign, he logged a 5–5 record and 4.46 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 117 innings pitched.
Williamson began the 2024 season on the injured list with a left shoulder strain.[15] On May 8, 2024, he was transferred to the 60–day injured list.[16] Williamson was activated on September 1.[17] In 4 games (3 starts) for Cincinnati, he posted a 3.77 ERA with 12 strikeouts over14+1⁄3 innings pitched. On September 18, it was announced that Williamson had suffered a full tear of hisulnar collateral ligament and would undergoTommy John surgery. The procedure ruled him out for the remainder of 2024 and likely the entirety of the 2025 campaign.[18]