Yankees’ Devin Williams opens up about one-of-a-kind ‘Airbender’ pitch

TAMPA — Devin Williams is used to it by now. 

“It’s usually the first question people ask me — or the only one,” he said with a chuckle. 

So in a clubhouse full of new teammates and coaches, Williams has already fielded his fair share of questions about the pitch that is so unique and nasty that it has its own name: The Airbender. 

“It’s honestly really simple, in my mind at least,” the Yankees’ new closer said Saturday at Steinbrenner Field. “It’s a four-seam changeup grip and I pronate it. I know what I want to do with it. It’s a little more difficult to put into words. 

“Other people can’t really replicate what I do, based on their arm slot or how their body works. It works for me. It’s just kind of one of those things. Max Fried probably can’t really teach somebody else his curveball, he just does it. It’s second nature to him.” 

Most are just curious how Williams throws the pitch.