Brandon Williamson has one more chance to reshape the Reds' 2027 plans

Brandon Williamson saved his best start of the season for Tuesday night in Atlanta. The Cincinnati Reds lefty surrendered just three hits over six innings without allowing a run. Williamson struck out only two batters, but induced seven ground ball outs and didn't allow a walk.

With Chase Burns' on the injured list due to a groin strain, Williamson will draw the final start of the Reds' 2026 season on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon. Another strong outing could put Williamson firmly in Reds' rotation plans for 2027.

Reds starter Brandon Williamson shined against the Braves

Williamson battled shoulder fatigue earlier this season and was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 30. After learning the severity of the ailment, he was transferred to the 60-day in early-May. He slowly worked his way back to the mound, and after a month of rehab starts in the minors, was activated earlier this month.

Williamson was supposed to piggyback off Burns, but with the Reds' ace now on the shelf, he's been moved back into the rotation. He's logged a little over 20 innings this month, and owns a 3.32 ERA. The strikeouts haven't been there (5.82 K/9) and his 5.31 FIP suggests his performance could be a bit of mirage, but his start against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday checked a lot of boxes.

The left-hander threw his cutter early and often, and he threw it for strikes (74% strike percentage). He was also using it to get ahead in the count — landing it five of seven times to begin an at-bat — and found success with his sinker and his curveball as well.

The Reds rotation looks very shaky heading into the 2027 season. Hunter Greene will miss the entire year following Tommy John surgery, and Brady Singer is set to enter free agency this offseason — though Cincinnati may look to re-sign him.

That leaves Nick Lodolo, Chase Burns, and Andrew Abbott atop the rotation. Rhett Lowder has endured his share of struggles this season, but it's assumed he'll be in the mix as well. Williamson could take that number to five, and give the Reds something to build around this winter.

Williamson is an tantalizing talent, and one the Reds may lean on heavily next season. If he can duplicate his most recent performance during the season finale against the Blue Jays on Sunday, Cincinnati might have one less thing to worry about this offseason.

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