Brandon Williamson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #10 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After two years at Northern Iowa JC, Williamson transferred to Texas Christian, where he joined Nick Lodolo in the Horned Frogs' weekend rotation. The Reds picked Lodolo as the first lefthander off the board in the 2019 draft, and the Mariners selected Williamson in the second round, making him the sixth lefty picked. After Williamson's standout 2021 season at Double-A Arkansas, the Reds reunited him with Lodolo by acquiring him in a trade that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez to Seattle.
  
  Scouting Report: Williamson's stuff and control all took a step backward in 2022. He nibbled more than he needed and saw his overall strike percentage drop from 64% in 2021 to 61% in 2022. After he was promoted to Triple-A, Williamson's strike percentage dipped to 59%. Behind in counts, his above-average curveball and fringe-average changeup didn't fool hitters as often. His above-average, big-breaking mid-70s curveball has been a weapon, but he didn't land it enough for it to be effective in his first year with the Reds. Similarly, his 82-84 mph changeup is better when he's ahead in counts. His average 82-85 mph slider showed improvement. It has gone from a barely-used pitch to one he showed the most feel for on many nights. Williamson's 90-93 mph fastball lost a tick in 2022, but it's effective even at a slightly reduced velocity thanks to its carry and precision.
  
  The Future: Williamson looked more like a back-of-the-rotation arm in 2022 because of reduced stuff and more scattered control, but he's shown midrotation potential in the past. He was added to the Reds' 40-man roster in November. With a strong start at Triple-A Louisville, he could push for a spot in Cincinnati by midseason.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 Curveball: 55 Slider: 50 Changeup: 45 Control: 45
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #5 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Williamson spent two seasons at Northern Iowa JC and was drafted by the Brewers in the 36th round in 2018, but he transferred to Texas Christian rather than sign. He won a spot in the Horned Frogs rotation and pitched well enough for the Mariners to draft him in the second round, No. 59 overall, one year later. Williamson spent 2020 at the alternate training site and made his full-season debut in 2021. He led the Mariners system with 153 strikeouts and rose from High-A to Double-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Williamson’s stuff keeps improving and now ranks among the best in the Mariners’ pitching-rich system. A long-limbed, 6-foot-6 lefthander, Williamson sits 90-94 mph and reaches 97 mph on his fastball. The pitch plays up with late life and deception from his delivery and gets on batters faster than they expect with his long extension. Williamson’s best pitch is a high-arching, top-to-bottom curveball in the mid 70s with tight spin and sharp, late bite. It gets under the barrels of both lefthanded and righthanded batters and is a borderline plus-plus pitch with his feel for locating it. He also shows feel for an average changeup in the mid 80s and an average slider in the low 80s with tight, horizontal break. Williamson keeps his long limbs in sync and throws plenty of strikes with average control, although he occasionally gets too much of the plate. He threw two immaculate innings last summer.
  
  The Future: Williamson’s build, stuff and control give him a chance to be a No. 3 or 4 starter. He is in line to make his major league debut in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #11 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Williamson spent one season at Texas Christian after transferring from North Iowa Area JC. Despite corrective surgery on both hips, he performed well enough to be drafted by the Mariners in the second round. He pitched minimally in his first pro season and spent 2020 at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williamson works with a powerful fastball-curveball combination that misses bats. His heater sits at 95-97 mph and generates plenty of swings and misses because of its electric life. Williamson's plus curveball has good 11-to-5 shape and a high spin rate that makes it another swingand-miss pitch. He tried to be too much of a finesse pitcher during the summer, using his above-average changeup and average slider instead of pitching to his strengths with his fastball and curveball. He delivers his pitches from a deceptive three-quarters delivery that features a high front side. He has average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williamson will get his first crack at full-season ball in 2021. He has a chance to become a mid-to-back-of-the-rotation-starter.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #9 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Williamson transferred from Northern Iowa Area JC to Texas Christian before the 2019 season and missed the fall after having surgery on both hips. He recovered to settle in as the Horned Frogs' No. 2 starter behind fellow lefthander Nick Lodolo and showed enough for the Mariners to draft him in the second round and sign him for $925,000. Williamson reported to short-season Everett after signing and showed an uptick in stuff.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After living in the low 90s in college, Williamson's heater came out sitting 91-96 mph with electric life at Everett. The result was an overall swinging-strike rate of 20 percent, one of the best in the minors, and plus grades on a pitch that was seen as average in college. Williamson generates high spin and good shape on his mid-70s curveball, another above-average pitch batters typically swing through, and he also has a low-80s slider that flashes average. He has feel for an above-average changeup but didn't use it much at Everett. Williamson uses a three-quarters delivery that is high on the front side and provides deception, and he maintains average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Mariners may have a second-round steal in Williamson. He will make his full-season debut in 2020 and projects as a possible No. 3 or 4 starter.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #86 prospect in 2019 draft
  After a solid season at Northern Iowa Area CC in 2018, Williamson fell to the Brewers in the 36th round because no team wanted to match his asking price. So instead of signing, Williamson moved on to Texas Christian, where he immediately stepped into the Horned Frogs' weekend rotation. There's a lot to like with Williamson, who pitches from an athletic, 6-foot-5 frame. He's also shown steady improvement over the past two years, and he has a fluid delivery with a clean arm path. The one thing holding Williamson back is a lack of a clear plus pitch, although his 90-92 mph fastball will touch 94-95 mph at times and has the potential to be an above-average offering. He has both a curveball and a slider that are two distinct pitches, but both are fringe-average to average at best. He also has a fringe-average changeup. Williamson is relatively durable and has some projection remaining. As a reasonably productive lefthanded starter at a major college program, Williamson will likely be picked somewhere between the late second and early fourth round.
• Ranked #168 prospect in 2018 draft
  An athletic, 6-foot-5 lefty, Williamson got off to a terrible start to his sophomore season at NIACC. A month into the season he had a 5.89 ERA and was allowing two baserunners per inning. But since late March, he posted a 2.08 ERA with 1.2 baserunners per inning and 15.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Williamson boasts a varied repertoire as he'll mix a 90-95 mph fastball, a pair of average breaking balls and a less-developed, but potentially average, changeup. His slider shows signs of developing into an above-average pitch down the road. Williamson's below-average control will have to improve, but there's nothing in his delivery that would indicate continued control issues. His delivery is fluid and his arm path is relatively clean. Williamson is a Texas Christian signee, but he could be taken early enough on day two to convince him to forgo another year of college ball.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #83 prospect in 2022

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After two years at Northern Iowa JC, Williamson transferred to Texas Christian, where he joined Nick Lodolo in the Horned Frogs' weekend rotation. The Reds picked Lodolo as the first lefthander off the board in the 2019 draft, and the Mariners selected Williamson in the second round, making him the sixth lefty picked. After Williamson's standout 2021 season at Double-A Arkansas, the Reds reunited him with Lodolo by acquiring him in a trade that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez to Seattle.
  
  Scouting Report: Williamson's stuff and control all took a step backward in 2022. He nibbled more than he needed and saw his overall strike percentage drop from 64% in 2021 to 61% in 2022. After he was promoted to Triple-A, Williamson's strike percentage dipped to 59%. Behind in counts, his above-average curveball and fringe-average changeup didn't fool hitters as often. His above-average, big-breaking mid-70s curveball has been a weapon, but he didn't land it enough for it to be effective in his first year with the Reds. Similarly, his 82-84 mph changeup is better when he's ahead in counts. His average 82-85 mph slider showed improvement. It has gone from a barely-used pitch to one he showed the most feel for on many nights. Williamson's 90-93 mph fastball lost a tick in 2022, but it's effective even at a slightly reduced velocity thanks to its carry and precision.
  
  The Future: Williamson looked more like a back-of-the-rotation arm in 2022 because of reduced stuff and more scattered control, but he's shown midrotation potential in the past. He was added to the Reds' 40-man roster in November. With a strong start at Triple-A Louisville, he could push for a spot in Cincinnati by midseason.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 Curveball: 55 Slider: 50 Changeup: 45 Control: 45
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: After two years at Northern Iowa JC, Williamson transferred to Texas Christian, where he joined Nick Lodolo in the Horned Frogs' weekend rotation. The Reds picked Lodolo as the first lefthander off the board in the 2019 draft, and the Mariners selected Williamson in the second round, making him the sixth lefty picked. After Williamson's standout 2021 season at Double-A Arkansas, the Reds reunited him with Lodolo by acquiring him in a trade that sent Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez to Seattle.
  
  Scouting Report: Williamson's stuff and control all took a step backward in 2022. He nibbled more than he needed and saw his overall strike percentage drop from 64% in 2021 to 61% in 2022. After he was promoted to Triple-A, Williamson's strike percentage dipped to 59%. Behind in counts, his above-average curveball and fringe-average changeup didn't fool hitters as often. His above-average, big-breaking mid-70s curveball has been a weapon, but he didn't land it enough for it to be effective in his first year with the Reds. Similarly, his 82-84 mph changeup is better when he's ahead in counts. His average 82-85 mph slider showed improvement. It has gone from a barely-used pitch to one he showed the most feel for on many nights. Williamson's 90-93 mph fastball lost a tick in 2022, but it's effective even at a slightly reduced velocity thanks to its carry and precision.
  
  The Future: Williamson looked more like a back-of-the-rotation arm in 2022 because of reduced stuff and more scattered control, but he's shown midrotation potential in the past. He was added to the Reds' 40-man roster in November. With a strong start at Triple-A Louisville, he could push for a spot in Cincinnati by midseason.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 Curveball: 55 Slider: 50 Changeup: 45 Control: 45
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: Williamson spent two seasons at Northern Iowa JC and was drafted by the Brewers in the 36th round in 2018, but he transferred to Texas Christian rather than sign. He won a spot in the Horned Frogs rotation and pitched well enough for the Mariners to draft him in the second round, No. 59 overall, one year later. Williamson spent 2020 at the alternate training site and made his full-season debut in 2021. He led the Mariners system with 153 strikeouts and rose from High-A to Double-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Williamson&#39s stuff keeps improving and now ranks among the best in the Mariners&#39 pitching-rich system. A long-limbed, 6-foot-6 lefthander, Williamson sits 90-94 mph and reaches 97 mph on his fastball. The pitch plays up with late life and deception from his delivery and gets on batters faster than they expect with his long extension. Williamson&#39s best pitch is a high-arching, top-to-bottom curveball in the mid 70s with tight spin and sharp, late bite. It gets under the barrels of both lefthanded and righthanded batters and is a borderline plus-plus pitch with his feel for locating it. He also shows feel for an average changeup in the mid 80s and an average slider in the low 80s with tight, horizontal break. Williamson keeps his long limbs in sync and throws plenty of strikes with average control, although he occasionally gets too much of the plate. He threw two immaculate innings last summer.
  
  The Future: Williamson&#39s build, stuff and control give him a chance to be a No. 3 or 4 starter. He is in line to make his major league debut in 2022.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Curveball: 65. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Williamson spent two seasons at Northern Iowa JC and was drafted by the Brewers in the 36th round in 2018, but he transferred to Texas Christian rather than sign. He won a spot in the Horned Frogs rotation and pitched well enough for the Mariners to draft him in the second round, No. 59 overall, one year later. Williamson spent 2020 at the alternate training site and made his full-season debut in 2021. He led the Mariners system with 153 strikeouts and rose from High-A to Double-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Williamson’s stuff keeps improving and now ranks among the best in the Mariners’ pitching-rich system. A long-limbed, 6-foot-6 lefthander, Williamson sits 90-94 mph and reaches 97 mph on his fastball. The pitch plays up with late life and deception from his delivery and gets on batters faster than they expect with his long extension. Williamson’s best pitch is a high-arching, top-to-bottom curveball in the mid 70s with tight spin and sharp, late bite. It gets under the barrels of both lefthanded and righthanded batters and is a borderline plus-plus pitch with his feel for locating it. He also shows feel for an average changeup in the mid 80s and an average slider in the low 80s with tight, horizontal break. Williamson keeps his long limbs in sync and throws plenty of strikes with average control, although he occasionally gets too much of the plate. He threw two immaculate innings last summer.
  
  The Future: Williamson’s build, stuff and control give him a chance to be a No. 3 or 4 starter. He is in line to make his major league debut in 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Williamson posted 59 strikeouts and 10 walks in 31 innings at High-A Everett to earn a quick promotion to Double-A. His 91-94 mph fastball has played up with deception in his delivery and his breaking ball has become a neutralizing pitch with sharp, late break. His average changeup is improving and his control has been above-average, helping him project as a potential mid-rotation starter even though his first few starts at Arkansas have been rocky.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williamson spent one season at Texas Christian after transferring from North Iowa Area JC. Despite corrective surgery on both hips, he performed well enough to be drafted by the Mariners in the second round. He pitched minimally in his first pro season and spent 2020 at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williamson works with a powerful fastball-curveball combination that misses bats. His heater sits at 95-97 mph and generates plenty of swings and misses because of its electric life. Williamson's plus curveball has good 11-to-5 shape and a high spin rate that makes it another swingand-miss pitch. He tried to be too much of a finesse pitcher during the summer, using his above-average changeup and average slider instead of pitching to his strengths with his fastball and curveball. He delivers his pitches from a deceptive three-quarters delivery that features a high front side. He has average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williamson will get his first crack at full-season ball in 2021. He has a chance to become a mid-to-back-of-the-rotation-starter.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williamson spent one season at Texas Christian after transferring from North Iowa Area JC. Despite corrective surgery on both hips, he performed well enough to be drafted by the Mariners in the second round. He pitched minimally in his first pro season and spent 2020 at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Williamson works with a powerful fastball-curveball combination that misses bats. His heater sits at 95-97 mph and generates plenty of swings and misses because of its electric life. Williamson's plus curveball has good 11-to-5 shape and a high spin rate that makes it another swingand-miss pitch. He tried to be too much of a finesse pitcher during the summer, using his above-average changeup and average slider instead of pitching to his strengths with his fastball and curveball. He delivers his pitches from a deceptive three-quarters delivery that features a high front side. He has average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: Williamson will get his first crack at full-season ball in 2021. He has a chance to become a mid-to-back-of-the-rotation-starter.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williamson transferred from Northern Iowa Area JC to Texas Christian before the 2019 season and missed the fall after having surgery on both hips. He recovered to settle in as the Horned Frogs’ No. 2 starter behind fellow lefthander Nick Lodolo and showed enough for the Mariners to draft him in the second round and sign him for $925,000. Williamson reported to short-season Everett after signing and showed an uptick in stuff.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After living in the low 90s in college, Williamson’s heater came out sitting 91-96 mph with electric life at Everett. The result was an overall swinging-strike rate of 20 percent, one of the best in the minors, and plus grades on a pitch that was seen as average in college. Williamson generates high spin and good shape on his mid-70s curveball, another above-average pitch batters typically swing through, and he also has a low-80s slider that flashes average. He has feel for an above-average changeup but didn’t use it much at Everett. Williamson uses a three-quarters delivery that is high on the front side and provides deception, and he maintains average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Mariners may have a second-round steal in Williamson. He will make his full-season debut in 2020 and projects as a possible No. 3 or 4 starter.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Williamson transferred from Northern Iowa Area JC to Texas Christian before the 2019 season and missed the fall after having surgery on both hips. He recovered to settle in as the Horned Frogs' No. 2 starter behind fellow lefthander Nick Lodolo and showed enough for the Mariners to draft him in the second round and sign him for $925,000. Williamson reported to short-season Everett after signing and showed an uptick in stuff.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: After living in the low 90s in college, Williamson's heater came out sitting 91-96 mph with electric life at Everett. The result was an overall swinging-strike rate of 20 percent, one of the best in the minors, and plus grades on a pitch that was seen as average in college. Williamson generates high spin and good shape on his mid-70s curveball, another above-average pitch batters typically swing through, and he also has a low-80s slider that flashes average. He has feel for an above-average changeup but didn't use it much at Everett. Williamson uses a three-quarters delivery that is high on the front side and provides deception, and he maintains average control.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Mariners may have a second-round steal in Williamson. He will make his full-season debut in 2020 and projects as a possible No. 3 or 4 starter.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  After a solid season at Northern Iowa Area CC in 2018, Williamson fell to the Brewers in the 36th round because no team wanted to match his asking price. So instead of signing, Williamson moved on to Texas Christian, where he immediately stepped into the Horned Frogs' weekend rotation. There's a lot to like with Williamson, who pitches from an athletic, 6-foot-5 frame. He's also shown steady improvement over the past two years, and he has a fluid delivery with a clean arm path. The one thing holding Williamson back is a lack of a clear plus pitch, although his 90-92 mph fastball will touch 94-95 mph at times and has the potential to be an above-average offering. He has both a curveball and a slider that are two distinct pitches, but both are fringe-average to average at best. He also has a fringe-average changeup. Williamson is relatively durable and has some projection remaining. As a reasonably productive lefthanded starter at a major college program, Williamson will likely be picked somewhere between the late second and early fourth round.