Josh Winckowski

Josh Winckowski
Boston Red Sox – No. 25
Pitcher
Born: (1998-06-28) June 28, 1998 (age 26) Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 28, 2022, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Win–loss record	13–13
Earned run average	4.21
Strikeouts	186
Teams
Boston Red Sox (2022–present)

Joshua Winckowski (born June 28, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 202 pounds (92 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.

Career

Toronto Blue Jays

Winckowski is from Toledo, Ohio. He attended Toledo Mud Hens games at Fifth Third Field as a child, but moved to Florida for high school.^[1] Winckowski attended Estero High School in Estero, Florida.^[2] The Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 15th round of the 2016 MLB draft.^[2][3] Winckowski played in the Blue Jays' farm system from 2016 through 2019, reaching the Class A-Advanced level with the Dunedin Blue Jays.^[4] In four seasons with the Toronto organization, Winckowski made 54 appearances (50 starts), compiling an 18–17 win–loss record with a 3.35 earned run average (ERA).^[4]

Boston Red Sox

On January 27, 2021, Winckowski was traded to the New York Mets alongside Yennsy Díaz and Sean Reid-Foley in exchange for Steven Matz.^[5] On February 10, 2021, Winckowski was traded to the Boston Red Sox with Franchy Cordero and three players to be named later in a three-team trade, where the Kansas City Royals acquired Andrew Benintendi and the Mets received Khalil Lee.^[6] Winckowski began the 2021 season in Double-A with the Portland Sea Dogs and was promoted late in the season to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.^[4] Overall with both teams, he appeared in 23 games (22 starts), compiling a 3.94 ERA and 9–4 record while striking out 101 batters in 112 innings.^[4] After the regular season, Winckowski was selected to play for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League.^[7] On November 19, in advance of the Rule 5 draft, the Red Sox added Winckowski to their 40-man roster.^[8][9]

Winckowski began the 2022 season with Worcester.^[10] The Red Sox activated him on May 28 to start the second game of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.^[11] Winckowski allowed four runs on six hits in three innings, taking the loss.^[12] He was returned to Worcester the following day.^[13] Winckowski was next recalled for a start on June 15,^[14] and registered his first MLB win after pitching five scoreless innings in a 10–1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Fenway.^[15] Winckowski remained in the starting rotation until being placed on the COVID-related list on July 14;^[16] he rejoined the team on July 26.^[17] Through the remainder of the season, he split time between Worcester and Boston.^[18][19][20] In 15 games (14 starts) with Boston, Winckowski posted a 5–7 record with 5.89 ERA while striking out 44 batters in 70+1⁄3 innings.^[21]

For the 2023 season, Winckowski appeared in 60 Red Sox games (one start) and posted a 4–4 record with three saves and a 2.88 ERA while striking out 82 batters in 84+1⁄3 innings.^[21] Winckowski opened the 2024 season as a member of Boston's bullpen, until being optioned to Worcester on May 12; at the time, he had a 3.33 ERA in 24+1⁄3 innings.^[22]

References

1. "Full circle: Toledo-born Winckowski returns to pitch at Fifth Third Field | The Blade". Toledoblade.com. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
2. Sodergren, Andrew (July 12, 2016). "Estero's Josh Winckowski signs with Blue Jays". Naples Daily News. Naples, Florida.
3. "Estero grad Josh Winckowski starts All-Star game, earns promotion to Florida State League". June 21, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
4. "Josh Winckowski Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
5. "Blue Jays Acquire Steven Matz". January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
6. "Boston Red Sox send Andrew Benintendi to Kansas City Royals in 3-team deal". ESPN.com. February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
7. "Brawl breaks out in AFL action". MLB.com.
8. Jennings, Chad (November 19, 2021). "By playing it safe on 40-man decisions, Red Sox take their chances in upcoming Rule 5 draft". The Athletic. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
9. "Josh Winckowski, armed with new cutter and 40-man roster spot, could help Boston Red Sox rotation in 2022: 'He's into how to improve himself'". masslive.com. March 21, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
10. "WooSox have workhorse in hurler Josh Winckowski". Telegram.com. May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
11. McWilliams, Julian (May 27, 2022). "Righthander Josh Winckowski to make major league debut for Red Sox on Saturday". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 27, 2022 – via MSN.com.
12. Smith, Christopher (May 28, 2022). "Boston Red Sox's Josh Winckowski: 'Honestly, my personality, I'll probably be pretty frustrated for a long time'". masslive.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
13. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. May 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
14. Speier, Alex (June 15, 2022). "Red Sox recall outfielder Jarren Duran from Worcester again". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 16, 2022 – via MSN.com.
15. Martin, Alex (June 16, 2022). "Red Sox pitcher Josh Winckowski hurls five scoreless innings to get first big league win". The News-Press. Retrieved June 16, 2022 – via Yahoo!.
16. Cotillo, Chris (July 14, 2022). "Boston Red Sox's Josh Winckowski tests positive for COVID-19 after good start vs. Rays". masslive.com. Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via MSN.com.
17. Smith, Christopher (July 26, 2022). "Boston Red Sox roster moves: Phillips Valdez DFA'd; Darwinzon Hernandez to be optioned, Josh Winckowski to be activated". masslive.com. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
18. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. August 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
19. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. September 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
20. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. October 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
21. "Josh Winckowski Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
22. Deeds, Nick (May 12, 2024). "Red Sox Activate Brayan Bello From Injured List". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 12, 2024.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet