Boston Red Sox’s Josh Winckowski: ‘Honestly, my personality, I’ll probably be pretty frustrated for a long time’

BOSTON — Crimson Sox 23-year-old righty Josh Winckowski wasn’t happy with how his main league debut went.

“Form of actually dangerous in the event you ask me,” he mentioned. “I’m gonna have to throw much more strikes than that.”

Winckowski — the highest prospect Boston acquired within the Andrew Benintendi commerce — lasted simply 3 innings in a 4-2 loss to the Orioles within the second sport of a doubleheader Saturday.

He allowed 4 runs on six hits, together with a three-run homer to Rougned Odor, and three walks. He struck out 4. All 4 runs he allowed got here through the third inning.

“Truthfully, my persona, I’ll in all probability be fairly pissed off for a very long time,” Winckowski mentioned. “Like I mentioned, it’s nonetheless a extremely superior second. However that sport might have, ought to have gone lots completely different.”

Winckowski — who has averaged just one.7 walks per 9 innings in seven begins at Triple-A Worcester this season — struggled along with his command. He threw 62 pitches (36 strikes), 58% strikes.

“I truthfully wasn’t too nervous. The balls had been somewhat completely different,” Winckowski mentioned. “Actually within the first inning, the sinker simply saved taking off down on me greater than I’m used to. However then after that, form of simply began guiding the ball. I didn’t really feel like I might let it rip. But it surely occurs.”

How did the balls really feel completely different?

“I’ve by no means described the ball like this nevertheless it oddly felt like damp at this time,” Winckowski mentioned. “It was form of bizarre. I don’t know. I used to be like looking for dry spots on my jersey fairly typically, which is one thing I normally don’t battle with. But it surely’s a part of the training expertise.”

His fastball topped out at 96.5 mph. His 29 two-seam fastballs averaged 94.7 mph and his 16 four-seam fastballs averaged 93.9 mph, per Baseball Savant.

He additionally combined in 16 sliders (three swings-and-misses) and one changeup. He recorded seven swings-and-misses in all.

The Crimson Sox optioned him again to Worcester after the sport, as anticipated. It was solely a spot begin.

“Stuff like this all the time makes you’re employed tougher and form of look into some issues,” Winckowski mentioned. “I believe the slider is inconsistent. Some I actually like after which some I believe are simply actually dangerous. However yeah, it will likely be good to get again to Triple A and simply keep in a routine and simply preserve engaged on issues.”

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