Rolling with the pitches, Winckowski showing promise

Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Josh Winckowski is coming off a strong season with the Vancouver Canadians. Photo: Jay Blue

By Dannika Russell

DUNEDIN, Fla., -- Pitcher Josh Winckowski is using spring training to up his game after a stellar 2018 season.

That may sound backwards, but after becoming a starter for the Vancouver Canadians last year, the righthander blossomed on the mound.

“Pitching good last year felt good,” he said, standing in the cool sunshine at the Toronto Blue Jays’ Bobby Mattick complex. “Finally throwing well and just pitching to the level I know I can throw.”

Winckowski was 4-5, with a 2.78 ERA in 13 starts. The earned run average was 2.5 runs better than the year before. He also struck out 71 with a miniscule 15 walks.

Competitive by nature, Winckowski isn’t going to relax after one good season. He wants to keep working to better himself and his game.

“The two top priorities to me are mentality and body language, and the change up as well,” he said. “If I can add that pitch [the change-up] and get myself three quality pitches, I think that could take me to a different level.”

Winckowski was drafted out of Estero High School, in Florida, and for a while he tossed the idea of signing vs college back and forth.

“It was definitely a rollercoaster for sure,” he said. “Wasn’t really sure what to do except going into the draft, I kind of had an idea that I was going to get picked.”

He decided to sign instead of going to college. The decision took over a month to be finalized and after Winckowski had already enrolled in college classes.

“There’s a lot of guys that get drafted out of high school and never get drafted again,” he said. “At the end of the day this is what I wanted to do.”

If things go as planned, Winckowski will be in Michigan for his next season and playing with the Lansing Lugnuts, in a much colder temperature than he’s gotten accustomed to in Florida.

“I was born in Ohio … so I do have some experience playing in the cold,” he said.

Far from home but not from family, Winckowski has his grandfather in Michigan who hasn’t seen him in action since he was in high school.

“He hasn’t seen me play in a long time, so for him to get to see me play again, it’s going to be cool for sure.”