Josh Winckowski eyes opportunity to secure spot in Red Sox rotation
The Red Sox opened up camp for spring training on Wednesday with pitchers and catchers completing their first workout.
Boston enters camp with a group of young pitchers and a handful of them competing for the final spot in the rotation. Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford are locks one-through-four with a darkhorse candidate vying for a spot.
Right-hander Josh Winckowski enjoyed a strong season as a high-leverage reliever for Alex Cora last season. The right-hander recorded a 2.88 ERA in 60 appearances with three saves, proving to be a high-level asset before going to closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning.
Following a his impressive sophomore season, the Red Sox have a different vision for the right-hander. Similar to last season, Winckowski is coming into camp preparing as a starter.
“Last year, I was built up as a starter until the last four or five days of spring training,” Winckowski said at Fort Myers to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “So yeah, if that (moving to the bullpen) does happen again, I obviously have no problem with it and have already been through it. But I’m obviously excited to potentially help out the rotation.”
Prior to hiring Andrew Bailey, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow told reporters that Winckowski had untapped potential and the club would like to see what he could do as a starter.
Following a tough 2022 rookie season, Winckowski came into camp in 2023 not sure what his role would look like. The righty was aggressive on the mound and was one of Cora’s reliable relievers last season.
With camp officially open, Winckowski is preparing as a starter, knowing he could be a reliever but thankful the club thinks he can contribute as a member of the rotation.
“It means a lot,” Winckowski said at camp on Wednesday. “Truthfully, after 2022 I wasn’t too sure what my career in baseball would look like in general, yet alone as in terms of starting. So I’m obviously super excited that the new pitching people think that. Even the possibility of it means a lot.”
Competition for rotation spots will be a storyline this spring and Winckowski potentially opening the season as a starter is one that is worth watching.
“There are some things about starting that are really nice, some things about starting that I don’t like so much,” Winckowski said. “There’s pros and cons to both sides. I think it just depends on who you talk to.”
If Winckowski doesn’t win a spot in the rotation, he could start the season with Triple-A Worcester and start with the WooSox. Boston could opt to keep the Florida native stretched out in the event someone goes down with an injury and then he could slide seamlessly into the rotation.
