Texas Rangers Prospects: Cole Winn took a massive step forward in 2021

It’s been a good season for the Texas Rangers farm system as a whole, but no player (arguably) has had as much success individually in 2021 than No. 3 prospect RHP Cole Winn.

The 21-year-old spent the entire minor league season with the AA Frisco RoughRiders and had a breakout season there, pitching to a 2.31 ERA in 19 starts and 78 innings, along with a 0.82 WHIP. Those numbers represent the best production Winn has had as a pro, and it has the organization and fans (as well as us) really excited about what the future holds for him.

Texas Rangers’ pitching prospect Cole Winn had a breakout 2021 in the minor leagues

Just compare Winn’s 2019 numbers at Low-A Hickory (4.46 ERA in his first pro season) to his 2021 ones and you’ll see what we’re talking about.

Those 2021 stats by the way? They were only some of the best in all of the minor leagues! And there’s a lot of great young pitching talent out there. That’s saying something.

Oh yeah, and he pitched in the 2021 Futures Game in July. Think baseball is also starting to take notice of Cole Winn?

Drafted out of high school in 2018, expectations have always been high for Winn, but with his 2021 success, those expectations have only risen. And we have every reason to believe he can hit them with his upward trajectory.

Winn’s athletic and clean delivery and his plus stuff give him the kind of combination that can turn him into an ace when he gets to the big leagues, but with Jack Leiter now in the fold, the pressure doesn’t have to all be on 21-year-old the way it was before Leiter’s arrival, since Leiter is also capable of pitching like an ace. And that can make Winn even deadlier.

It’s highly likely Winn (and other top prospects) makes his Texas Rangers debut sometime in 2022, though not initially, as the organization would be unwise to rush his development. The Rangers know they have something special in the righty.

But a massive step forward for the 2018 first round selection in 2021 sets him up really well for a future that was already plenty bright. The next generation of Texas Rangers led by Winn and company looks to be in great hands.