Reds prospect Brandon Williamson's spring struggles have seeped into the 2023 minor league season

Brandon Williamson was a player on the cusp of making the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster out of camp. At the beginning of spring training, Williamson’s name was oftentimes mentioned as an option at the backend of the Reds rotation.

After a fairly decent start to spring, Williamson’s chance of being named to the 26-man roster seemingly came crashing down. The 6-foot-6 left-handed pitcher threw his last game of the spring against the Seattle Mariners. After 2.2 innings and 9 runs allowed, Williamson found his way to Louisville.

Williamson finds himself in a situation where the player could either use his demotion to Triple-A as motivation or decide not to. With the way the Reds pitching staff has been so far this year, it isn’t wild to think Williamson could be called up sooner rather than later.

Reds prospect Brandon Williamson's spring struggles have seeped into the 2023 minor league season.

While it’s only been two times through the rotation in Triple-A, Brandon Williamson hasn’t had the best start to the year. In those two starts, much of what was seen last season is appearing again in 2023. Williamson has just managed to complete 7.1 innings over two games. His 6.14 ERA is less than ideal.

Even worse than his early season ERA, is his walk-rate. Williamson has struggled with walking opposing batters throughout his career. So far this season, the southpaw has given up seven free passes. His 12.5 strikeout-rate is low, but the 17.5-percent walk-rate makes you take a double take. He has been giving up loud contact as well, with eight hard-hit balls so far this season.

Brandon Williamson is a prospect that everyone wants to pan out. The lefty's makeup has major league written all over it. But if he can't be efficient when his number is called, it will all be for not.

Before coming to the Reds last spring, Williamson was a big-name prospect for Seattle. The Cincinnati fans have been waiting to see when, if at all, he will pan out. Keep an eye on Williamson in the next coming weeks. The Reds need him to turn the 25-year-old corner fairly soon.