The Sunday Read: Texas Rangers getting taste of what could be quality young rotation depth

(Frisco RoughRiders/Zach Del Bello)

Earlier this month, as three promotions and one trade were taking a toll on the rotation at Double A Frisco, pitching coach Jeff Andrews looked at the remnants and saw some irony.

“The best one is still here,” Andrews said.

He was speaking of right-hander Cole Winn, the 2018 first-round pick (15th overall) who at the time had a 2.82 ERA. It’s now 2.57, though he hasn’t pitched in nearly two weeks while in the COVID-19 protocols.

Winn was the starter for the American League team at the Futures Game, and he has climbed industry prospect rankings thanks to his performance in his second professional season.

Andrews said Winn offers a four-pitch mix, each one is a quality pitch, and he throws them all for strikes. He knows how to pitch, and he competes his tail off.

“He’s a legitimate four-pitch guy,” Andrews said. “Those don’t fall from the tree very often.”