As the 2025 Texas Rangers season concludes, we will review each player who participated in major league games for the Rangers this year throughout the offseason.
Evaluating Cole Winn
Today’s focus is on relief pitcher Cole Winn. So, is he performing well now?
Winn is the last remaining player from the troubled 2018 draft and not long ago seemed destined for obscure Minor League status. He was a consensus top 100 prospect heading into the 2022 season, but struggled in AAA during both 2022 and 2023 with a 6.83 ERA over 222 innings. A more positive 2024 in AAA, where he worked out of the bullpen, opened the door for his major league debut. However, after five scoreless outings, he had a rough patch, allowing 15 runs in his last eight appearances, before missing the final three and a half months due to “right shoulder discomfort,” a concerning setback.
Progress in 2025
Entering the 2025 season, the question “Is Cole Winn good now?” would likely have received a negative response. However, a lot has changed recently. Winn was sent to AAA at the start of the year and impressively posted 12 consecutive appearances without giving up any earned runs. This performance garnered attention and led to his promotion to the majors in mid-May, where he continued to thrive, racking up 11 straight scoreless games before giving up a run against the Mariners in late June. Following a three-run homer allowed to Mitch Garver in the 12th inning two days later, he was sent back to AAA, primarily to refresh the bullpen.
Continued Performance and Setbacks
Winn’s strong performance in AAA earned him another call-up after the All-Star Break, where he maintained his impressive form with another 11 consecutive scoreless outings. Unfortunately, a mid-August game saw him struggle, allowing a K, a walk, a home run (to Bobby Witt Jr.), and a hit-by-pitch, which was followed by an injured list stint due to nerve irritation in his hand. He returned in mid-September, allowing just two runs in eight appearances before another IL stint due to shoulder irritation.
Season Summary
Winn concluded the season with a 1.51 ERA over 41.2 innings in 33 appearances, achieving a 1.1 bWAR, second highest among relievers, just behind Shawn Armstrong’s 1.5 bWAR. But this discernible success prompts further scrutiny.
Concerns and Future Outlook
Winn’s metrics indicate some red flags. He had a strikeout rate of 21.6%, slightly below average, and walked 10.5% of the batters he faced, which is concerning. His hard hit rate of 48.1% also fell below average. While he allowed only 3 home runs, largely due to generating ground balls, his .194 BABIP suggests that the sustainability of his performance is questionable.
Pitching Style Analysis
Winn employed five pitches regularly—three types of fastballs (four-seam, sinker, cutter), with none demonstrating much movement. His slider and split-finger pitches proved more effective, showing significant horizontal and vertical movement, respectively. A more strategic approach embracing these better-performing pitches, while reconsidering his usage of the sinker, could enhance his effectiveness. However, the reality of pitch dynamics and small sample sizes complicates this assessment.
Final Thoughts
So, is Cole Winn good now? It’s uncertain. He’s reliant on solid defense, given his low strikeout numbers. His FIP of 3.90 and xERA of 4.12 indicate he may be better suited for a low-leverage relief role. With no options left and a history of shoulder issues, he will likely remain in the Rangers’ bullpen come next season. The Rangers could certainly benefit from a reliable relief pitcher moving forward.
