Jason Windsor

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #7 prospect in 2007
  Windsor was drafted three times between high school and junior college before leading Cal State Fullerton to back-to-back College World Series trips in 2003-04. He was the CWS outstanding player when the Titans won the national title in 2004. Windsor tied for the minor league victory lead and made his big league debut in 2006. His big heart and durable frame are key ingredients for Windsor, who often pitches off a mid-80s fastball that tops out at 90 mph. It plays up because of his plus changeup, which is the best among the system's starters and has good sink. He throws his curve and slider for strikes as well and isn't afraid to challenge hitters. Windsor must command his fastball better to have success if he's not going to throw harder. Major league hitters torched him during his brief stint with Oakland. Shane Komine has better stuff, but Windsor's bigger frame gives him the better chance at long-term success among the A's upper-level starters. The A's like Windsor's moxie, though scouts from other organizations consider him fringy. Another pitch--perhaps a cutter or splitter--could be the difference between Windsor becoming a back-of-the-rotation starter or a 4-A pitcher. He also could develop into a Justin Duchscherer-style set-up man.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #15 prospect in 2006
  Windsor signed for $270,000 as a 2004 third-round pick after pitching Cal State Fullerton to a College World Series title, capping a 24-6, 1.82 two-year career with the Titans. Though he reached Double-A in his first full season, Windsor was plagued by inconsistency and biceps tendinitis, which ended his year in early August. Windsor's pinpoint command and ability to set up hitters make up for his fringe-average stuff. His fastball sits at only 85-87 mph and touches 90 only occasionally, but he spots it well in all four quadrants of the strike zone and can add cutting movement to it. He throws a big-breaking curveball for strikes and mixes in a slider. His out pitch is a plus-plus changeup that's capable of making hitters look foolish. Because he can't overpower hitters, Windsor is forced to pitch backwards, which proved to be a challenge against more experienced hitters in Double-A. Unless he regains the consistent 89-90 mph fastball velocity he showed in college, he projects as no more than a back-of-the-rotation starter or long reliever, though few doubt his ability to get to the majors. Windsor will begin 2006 back in Double-A.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #17 prospect in 2005
  Windsor had an incredible two-year run at Cal State Fullerton, going 26-4, 1.82 and finishing his career as the Most Outstanding Player at the 2004 College World Series, where he capped a 5-0, 0.61 postseason with a complete-game victory in the title-clincher against Texas. Because they thought he had been worked hard in college, the A's used him sparingly out of the bullpen after signing him as a third-round pick for $270,000. He continued to shine, pitching seven hitless innings with 13 strikeouts during the Midwest League playoffs. Windsor is a classic overachiever, pitching beyond his ordinary stuff with excellent command and a strong competitive drive. His fastball regularly sits at 86-89 mph, though he hit 92 out of the bullpen when he didn't have to worry about conserving his energy. His circle change is his best pitch, featuring plenty of deception and a late break that makes hitters look foolish at times. He also throws a curveball and a slider, with his curve having more potential. He seems to pitch better in clutch situations. Though he lacks projection, the A's think Windsor could move as fast as anyone other than Huston Street from their 2004 draft class. He most likely will begin the year in high Class A but could get bumped to Double-A with a strong spring.