Boston — On Thursday against Buffalo, Triple-A Worcester’s Josh Winckowski struck out eight and allowed only one run, three hits, and no walks in six innings.
On May 12, the Red Sox demoted Winckowski, who had a 3.33 ERA, 4.25 WHIP, 1.56 WHIP, 19 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 12 appearances (24 ⅓ innings). His advanced numbers were not good. He was in the eighth percentile for predicted ERA (5.47) and seventh percentile for expected batting average against (.288).
“I just know the line was a good one,” manager Alex Cora said Saturday, prior to Boston’s game against the Yankees at Fenway. “Some swings and misses.” “The strikeouts were increasing.”
Winckowski’s eight strikeouts were the most he has had in six appearances (five starts) with the WooSox. The 25-year-old righty has a previous high of five strikeouts against Rochester on June 7.
According to Baseball Savant, he induced 14 swings and misses, including eight with his cutter, three with his slider, two with his four-seam fastball, and one with his changeup. He threw his cutter 31 times, more than any other pitch. He used his changeup 16 times, sinker 13 times, slider ten times, and four-seamer five times.
“He’s been on and off basically throughout his outings but that was his best one,” Cora stated.
Cora stated that when he pitches for Boston again this season, his job — starter or reliever — will be determined by need. Winckowski was one of Boston’s top relievers last season, with a 2.88 ERA in 60 appearances.
“I think out of necessity,” Cora explained. “We stretched him out.” So that is good. But we can always go the opposite way.”
