Perhaps New York Yankees fans were too quick to overlook right-hander Allan Winans as a potential impact player when he was called up to replace Marcus Stroman.
Though Winans didn’t make an appearance during his brief stint with the Yankees and was sent back down once Clarke Schmidt was ready to return, it’s easy to underestimate a No. 9 starter when the rotation is thin. However, Winans, who has excelled at Triple-A and struggled in the majors in the past, is on a mission to prove he can be a valuable asset for the team.
The 29-year-old right-hander has yet to allow an earned run in the minors this season, capping off his stellar work with a historic performance on Wednesday night.
Winans struck out the first six Charlotte Knights (White Sox) he faced, walked one batter, and then proceeded to strike out four more in a row. His 10 strikeouts out of 11 batters faced is a feat not seen in MLB since 1961—an iconic year for the Yankees, making it an even more fitting accomplishment. Maybe emulating that season’s success isn’t such a bad idea.
What’s even more impressive is that Winans is working with a vintage pitching repertoire that would have been just as effective in 1961. He mixes his slow-breaking balls with a fastball that hovers around the 90 MPH mark. It’s a style that recalls Cody Poteet’s brief but effective time with the Yankees last summer, showcasing a quirky and effective brand of pitching magic. Could Winans be the next pitcher to step up when the Yankees need help this year?
In 9 1/3 innings across three appearances (two starts), Winans has racked up an impressive 20 strikeouts, including his historic outing on Wednesday. This isn’t just a one-off; in his career, Winans boasts a solid 2.89 ERA over 131 games and 423 2/3 innings in the minors.
Maybe this is the year it finally clicks for him after his call-up. After all, he’s already made his mark in the history books. What’s stopping him from taking the next step now?
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