Meet the Darkhouse Candidate for the Red Sox Pitching Rotation: Josh Winckowski
Another big piece of the Andrew Benintendi trade is about to make an impact. How soon can we expect Winckowski?
It’s been since February 10th, 2021 we last saw Andrew Benintendi on the Red Sox roster. Benintendi was dealt to the Kansas City Royals for a package that included five players when it was all said and done. Only one player has seen time at the big league level so far in Franchy Cordero. The next man up from that trade? Josh Winckowski.
A prospect that seems to be flying a bit under the radar down in Worcester. With most of the attention being on Triston Casas as of late, Winckowski has been quietly putting together a pretty good start to the 2022 season after wrapping up 2021 on a high note.
The 23 year old is a current member of the Red Sox 40 man roster, so it makes it more appealing for a potential call up without having to DFA a player on the current roster. With the Red Sox pitching staff having a roller coaster of a year already, the possibilities for a adding a potential starter this season are highly likely and where better than to add within.
“I’m pretty confident I can be a starter in the big leagues” Winckowski said. “My main goal as of right now is dialing in the cutter”
Establishing a cutter into a pitch mix that already features a fastball that tops out at 97 MPH, along with a slider, split-finger, and changeup, would help immensely starting games in the MLB and going through orders a couple times.
On top of expanding his current pitch mix, Winckowski has one other main goal on his mind.
“Really just trying to miss some more bats and eat innings” To be successful in the MLB, giving quality innings from the starting role is key and Winckowski has been doing just that so far for the WooSox.
The WooSox right hander currently ranks 12th on Sox Prospects, and it isn’t as matter of if you will see him at the next level, it will be when you see him get that call up. A call that will come sooner than later in 2022.
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