Cade Winquest getting a Yankees ‘baptism by fire’ during rocky spring with Rule 5 decision looming

TAMPA — If Cade Winquest has the inside track to a spot on the Opening Day roster, the Yankees reliever isn’t leaving himself much breathing room. 

The team’s first Rule 5 pick since 2011 must be on the major league roster all season or be placed on waivers and offered back to the Cardinals for half of his $100,000 selection fee if he clears waivers.

Winquest has intrigued the organization since it nearly selected him in the 2022 draft, but the hard-throwing righty hasn’t been overly impressive in limited spring work, going 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and .316 BAA in 4 ²/₃ innings.

The 25-year-old worked primarily as a starter last season, posting a 3.19 ERA in eight starts at Double-A (Springfield) after recording a 4.52 ERA in 17 games at High-A (Peoria).

“I would say he’s in the mix, but also the next few weeks matter, too, for a lot of people,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think he’s flashed things that we like about him. We like his fastball. We like the curveball … Because we don’t necessarily have that long window with him, we gotta kind of [give him a] baptism by fire a little bit. I haven’t hesitated bringing him in, in the middle of an inning or whatever. I think he’s worked really diligently at developing that routine [as a reliever] and getting used to it, and I think all in all, it’s gone pretty well.”

Cade Winquest throws a pitch during the Yankees’ Feb. 26 Grapefruit League game against the Braves. Charles Wenzelberg

Winquest — a former eighth-round pick out of UT-Arlington — has been pleased with the development of the sinker he added since joining the Yankees, but he acknowledges that he is still searching for consistency with a fourth pitch (sweeper/slider).

In Tuesday’s rain-shortened 15-0 loss to the Twins at Steinbrenner Field, Winquest wasn’t hit hard in one inning of work, but he allowed two runs (one earned), two (infield) hits, one walk and one wild pitch, with one strikeout in his fourth spring training appearance.

“I’m still adjusting to the reliever role, bouncing back quicker, but I feel like my routine is starting to make that step forward and I’m getting used to it,” Winquest said. “It’s definitely more mental than anything. If you tell yourself you feel good, you’re gonna feel good. I think I have the mentality to get there. Now, I just need to adjust the routine on the body.

“Starter, reliever, whatever, it’s just a great opportunity for me. The opportunity is right there. I just gotta walk through that door and take advantage of every opportunity I have and just see what happens.”

Winquest has never pitched above Double-A, where he’s only thrown 42 ¹/₃ innings.

Cade Winquest prepares to deliver a pitch during the Yankees’ Feb. 26 game. Charles Wenzelberg

His career ERA in the minors (4.19) offers little excitement.

But he holds a unique advantage in the roster battle.

“It definitely gives me confidence being the first Rule 5 pick in 14 years,” Winquest said. “I know this organization wants me. They’ve been looking at me since the 2022 draft. That helps the mental side of it. They believe in me. I believe in myself. I know I have the stuff out there. Now, I just have to make the adjustment and face big league hitters. The more reps I get, the better I’ll get.”