Brandon Williamson Sends Confident Message Amid Reds Rotation Battle

Although he didn't pitch at all during the 2025 season due to Tommy John Surgery, Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson is confident heading into Spring Training.

On Monday, he spoke with Joe Danneman of Fox 19 and called the battle for the fifth starter spot one of the best competitions across Major League Baseball.

"I think the competition for that spot is one of the best in spring training." Williamson told Danneman. "I don't think that's just the Reds, I think that's across baseball."

The 27-year-old is competing with first round draft picks Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder for the fifth and final rotation spot. Coming into camp, he's probably viewed as more of a longshot.

Williamson said the trio of pitchers have all been super competitive in the first week of spring.

"I think the way that we have come to Spring Training to show that we all want it, that we are all hungry for it, it's awesome. Whoever earns that spot will be truly ready for it because we are competing right now...It's going to be fun because we are all ready. It's hard to say who is going to win because everyone has showed up well...Anybody who gets a spot in the big leagues this year will have earned it. It won't look like a typical spot start or it won't look like a typical fifth starter."

Williamson's comments prove what we've been saying all offseason long. The Reds have a deep pitching staff. Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and even Brandon Williamson would likely be locks in most rotations across baseball, but that speaks to just how deep and talented the Reds’ rotation truly is.

You can watch the full video with Fox19's Joe Danneman below:

I asked Brandon Williamson about the competition for the final spot in the Reds rotation.

He spoke for 90 seconds about it.

"I think the competition for that spot is one of the best in spring training. I don't think that's just the Reds, I think that's across baseball." pic.twitter.com/7zy11Cu29K
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) February 16, 2026