Lanky Minnesotan Brandon Williamson Rises to MLB Starter

Hometown hero from Martin County West makes good in Cincinnati Reds rotation.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:31pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the unique talent and style of a small-town Minnesota player making it to the big leagues.A rising star from the Minnesota heartland brings his unique pitching style to the major leagues.Minneapolis Today

Brandon Williamson, a tall and skinny baseball player from rural Minnesota, has worked his way up through the minor leagues to become a starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. Williamson, who grew up in the small town of Sherburn, impressed many fans when he took the mound at Target Field in Minneapolis to face the Twins on April 17.

Why it matters

Williamson's journey from a small-town Minnesota high school to the major leagues is an inspiring story of perseverance and development. His success also highlights the talent that can emerge from the state's rural communities and the ability of players to make it to the top level of professional baseball.

The details

Williamson, now 24 years old, was a standout pitcher at Martin County West High School before being drafted by the Reds in the 2nd round in 2018. Despite his lanky 6'5" frame, he has steadily improved his pitching repertoire and command, working his way up through the Reds' minor league system to earn a spot in their starting rotation this season.

  • Williamson was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2nd round in 2018 out of Martin County West High School.
  • Williamson made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2024 and has been a regular in their starting rotation since the 2025 season.
  • Williamson faced the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on April 17, 2026.

The players

Brandon Williamson

A 24-year-old starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who grew up in the small town of Sherburn, Minnesota and was a standout at Martin County West High School.

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What they’re saying

“Brandon has really grown into his body and his stuff over the past few years. We're excited to see him continue to develop at the major league level.”

— David Bell, Manager, Cincinnati Reds

What’s next

Williamson is scheduled to make his next start for the Reds on April 22 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The takeaway

Williamson's journey from a small-town Minnesota high school to becoming a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball is an inspiring story of hard work, perseverance, and the ability of talented athletes to make it to the top level of their sport, no matter where they come from.