WooSox head to Buffalo with starting rotation loaded with plenty of potential

WORCESTER — The WooSox finished their fourth homestand of the season with a 6-4 loss to the Syracuse Mets Sunday at Polar Park, but the week ahead should be an exciting one for the team’s starting rotation.

The Buffalo Bisons will have their hands full with Worcester’s new-look rotation, including Brandon Walter (twice), Josh Winckowski, Connor Seabold, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford during the upcoming six-game series.

It’s a group with all big-league potential.

WooSox manager Chad Tracy knew during spring training this could potentially become his rotation, but to see it finally come to fruition is a luxury for any team.

“It’s exciting,” Tracy said. “I’m excited to watch it play out with this group, and hopefully they take off and feed off one another.”

Walter (0-1, 32.40 ERA) made his Triple-A debut June 2, and while the stat line — 1⅔ IP, 6 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP — did not indicate how well he pitched, he wants to prove to his new teammates that he’s legit.

The 25-year-old lefty has gained plenty of attention on his early-season performances for Double-A Portland, especially his strikeout-to-walk ratio. He struck out 68 and walked only three in 50 innings for the Sea Dogs.

Winckowski, 23, made his big-league debut with the Red Sox May 29 and allowed four earned runs in three innings against the Baltimore Orioles. He wasn’t happy with the outing, especially since he knew it was a spot start for Boston. He returned to Worcester and struggled in his start Friday.

The right-hander worked four innings and allowed seven runs (five earned) on nine hits, with one walk and three strikeouts. Opponents have learned to get aggressive early when facing Winckowski, and that’s what the Syracuse Mets did Friday. He said he didn’t have a good feel for his breaking ball and fell behind in some counts. It also didn’t help that the Mets successfully beat the shift for a few hits.

“He’s been so good for us, but he had a rough one,” Tracy said. “It was a combination of factors.”

Seabold returns to the rotation after a stint on the injured list due to a pectoral strain. It wasn’t anything serious, but the organization wanted to be cautious. The right-hander tossed 30 pitches during a live BP session Saturday and afterward said he felt great.

After an inconsistent 2021 season, the 26-year-old hurler has pitched well in 2022. Overall, he’s 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA. He’s found consistency with his four-pitch mix — four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and curveball. He’s comfortable with his entire repertoire, especially the combination of his fastball and slider.

He made his major league debut with the Red Sox last season and worked three innings, allowed two runs on three hits against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 11 at Chicago.

Speaking of major league debuts, it won’t be long before prospect Brayan Bello gets the calls. The 22-year-old has been electric. He’s 3-0 with a 3.63 ERA in four starts for the WooSox and has been dominating with a 100 mph fastball, and backs it up with a nasty changeup that drops in the low 80s.

Tracy describes Bello’s Triple-A debut as “awesome” and “incredible.”

Bello has struck out 34 in 22⅓ innings for the WooSox. His potential has been compared to Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez. In fact, Bello, also a native of the Dominican Republic, said Martinez is his idol, but Bello’s goal is to one day be better than the Red Sox legend.

Crawford began the season with the Red Sox and was used as a reliever. He was optioned to Worcester May 14 with the intention of stretching him out because the Red Sox want him to be a starter.

The 26-year-old right-hander has made four starts for the WooSox this season. On Sunday, he worked 3⅓ innings and allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. He also surrendered two home runs.

Tracy and WooSox pitching coach Paul Abbott are focused on helping Crawford regain his confidence, because there’s no denying his stuff.

“When this guy gets rolling, he’ll mow everybody down,” Tracy said. “We’ll keep at it because he has really good stuff. We’ll stay after it.”

Abbott should be given credit for the job he’s done with the entire staff, but specifically the starters.

“Incredible,” Tracy said of the job Abbott has accomplished with the staff.

The manager was quick to point out the fact that the WooSox have 18 pitchers currently on the roster, so that’s a lot of focus for Abbott, as far as keeping track of each one and the workload that’s involved.

“It’s never ending, and these guys are still developing, still learning, but he’s tremendous with them,” Tracy said. “He knows them inside and out. It’s not just mechanics all the time, sometimes it’s between the ears and working with them on that. He’s got a good feel for what each one needs. I can’t say enough about him.”

As a result of Seabold returning to the rotation after his IL stint, lefty Thomas Pannone will be moved to the bullpen. He has pitched well as starter, with a 4-2 record and 4.53 ERA.

“We’ve talked a lot about Pannone and how fantastic he’s been,” Tracy said. “I spoke with him today, and for the time being, he’ll come out of the rotation, but he understands. He looks at the guys who are in there, and it’s quality stuff, major-league caliber pitchers.”

The possible future of the Red Sox rotation should be on display for the near future in Worcester.

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: WooSox head to Buffalo with starting rotation loaded with plenty of potential