This first round pitching prospect isn't ready for Rangers to write him off just yet

One of the great things about the game of baseball is you can never truly count anybody or anything out. And the best stories throughout the game are ones where players overcome struggles or injuries to bounce back.

Cole Winn is trying to build one of those stories for himself. The former first round pick in 2018 out of high school is off to a close to spotless start this year in Triple-A Round Rock. In 21 2/3 innings of work, Winn has a 3-0 record, 0.00 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 19 strikeouts, 9 walks and a .145 opponent batting average.

Talk about a massive turn in success for a pitcher who in over 400 minor league innings has a career ERA over 5.00 and has been prone to walks in his career (249 in 116 games).

Rangers seemed ready to let go of Winn and pursue other arms

Winn was going into the season as one of the Rangers desperately needing a breakout season to show his worth to the organization.

Over the offseason, his fellow 2018 draft pick Owen White was traded to Cincinnati when he failed to find success in the limited experiences with the big league club. Winn seeing that was likely hoping he wouldn't be the next trade candidate.

The right-hander made his MLB Debut last year on April 14, working 1 2/3 scoreless innings against Houston and retiring one batter via the strikeout for his first one in the big leagues. He continued to show that dominance as he stretched his scoreless streak to seven innings out of the bullpen.

But the wheels fell off the tracks as he surrendered 15 runs in his next eight games. He then suffered a right shoulder sprain that ended his season with 13 games in MLB and a 7.79 ERA.

What is working for Cole Winn to start 2025?

I think the difference maker for Winn has been the switch to the bullpen, which has lifted a big weight off his shoulders. He officially made the transition to the pen in 2024, appearing in 10 games in Round Rock, in between his stint with Texas.

All 10 of his appearances have been out of the pen this season and earned the win in his last start on May 4, throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings on 18 pitches (11 for strikes).

Switching to the bullpen is such an effective strategy for struggling starters. A lot of the time, pitchers have great pitches but they struggle to keep that level of intensity up throughout 5-6 innings a start.

Last season in his brief stint with the Rangers, Winn averaged 95.3 mph on his four-seam fastball, which generated just a .219 batting average against. His secondary stuff got hit around a bit more but he still generated a whiff percentage of 37 and 35 on his slider and splitter, respectively. That stuff, of course, when executed make for a lethal combination.

Winn likely knew he had to step it up or his back would be backed up against a wall as the Rangers would continue to lose faith in him. So far though, he's performed in every way that the organization would want from him.