Yankees’ Devin Williams named MLB Network’s top reliever for 2025

Devin Williams may not have thrown a pitch in pinstripes yet, but the Yankees’ new closer is seen as the best reliever going into the 2025 season.

MLB Network released their annual top 10 list of relievers on Wednesday and the right-hander was ranked at the top of the list for the second consecutive year. Williams, 30, was acquired by the Yankees in a trade with the Brewers in mid-December and will look to play up to his MLB Network ranking.

So far in his career, Williams has done just that. He won NL Rookie of the Year in 2020, and earned two All-Star appearances (2022-23) and two Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year awards (2020, 2023) while pitching to a career 1.83 ERA over his six big league seasons. Last season, he missed the first four months due to injury but came back to pitch to a 1.25 ERA over 22 games while converting 14 saves.

Williams’ distinction at the top of the list is no small feat considering the other relievers he beat out.

He beat out young Guardians pitcher Cade Smith who finished second. Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals, the Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase and the Athletics’ Mason Miller round out the top five. Edwin Uceta (Rays), Tanner Scott (free agent), Kirby Yates (free agent), Jeff Hoffman (free agent) and Raisel Iglesias (Braves) make up the rest of the list.