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.

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 record13–13
Earned run average4.21
Strikeouts186
Teams

Career

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Toronto Blue Jays

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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

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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+13 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+13 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+13 innings.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Full circle: Toledo-born Winckowski returns to pitch at Fifth Third Field | The Blade". Toledoblade.com. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  2. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b "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.
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