The Reds announced on Friday that they have promoted top outfield prospect Jesse Winker from Triple-A Louisville and optioned right-hander Barrett Astin to Louisville to clear a 25-man roster spot.
The 23-year-old Winker, the No. 49 overall pick in the 2012 draft, has long been rated among the game’s Top 100 prospects. While a wrist injury led to some diminished power output in 2016, which may have caused his stock to slip a bit, he still entered the season rated as the game’s No. 49 overall prospect on the Top 100 list of ESPN’s Keith Law. (More recently Law rated him 40th among prospects that opened the season in the minors.) Over at MLB.com, Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis ranked Winker as baseball’s No. 63 prospect.
Even with his power dip in 2016, Winker still posted a strong .303/.397/.384 batting line last year in Louisville. Winker’s plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills in Triple-A proved to be exceptional, as last season’s 59 walks matched his 59 strikeouts (both a 13.2 percent clip). In parts of six minor league seasons, Winker is a .296/.399/.454 hitter.
Law notes in his scouting report that Winker would likely have reached the Majors in 2016 were it not for the wrist injury. He further adds that Winker may not have the power to hit 20+ homers on an annual basis but could hit 10 to 15 per year with 30 to 35 doubles and an excellent on-base percentage. Callis and Mayo laud Winker’s bat and approach at the plate, noting that a below-average arm makes him best suited for left field, where he’ll be an otherwise acceptable defender.
The timing of the Reds’ promotion of Winker comes 12 days into the MLB season, meaning if he remains in the Majors from this point forth, he’d finish one day shy of a full year of service time. Of course, it’s far from clear that the Reds plan to keep Winker in the Majors through season’s end; to the contrary, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that this call-up for Winker may be a brief means of adding another bat while waiting until Sunday when they’ll need to add another starter.
While Winker may not be immediately thrust into a starter’s role, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he eventually does take on a larger role with the club at some point in 2017. He’s considered by most prospect analysts to be more or less big league ready, and while left field is currently locked up by Adam Duvall, the right field picture is less certain. Scott Schebler opened the season there, but he’s yet to solidify himself as an everyday Major Leaguer.
!!! YES !!!
YES YES YES I’M STOKED
Finally!!!
The timing of this move makes no sense to me. Schebler hasn’t been awful (though he hasn’t been great either), and calling up Winker right now would be too early to delay his free agency if he sticks. Perhaps Schebler, Duvall or Hamilton is dealing with a nagging injury that wouldn’t be enough for a DL stint?
On second thought, I think I figured out their logic. Astin pitched 2 innings yesterday so was likely unavailable today. Sal Romano (in AAA) is likely to start Sunday, so they likely called up Winker so they will have a 5-man bench for today and tomorrow, and will option him back down Sunday. That’s my best guess.
I think Cody Reed is starting Sunday. I thought I heard Thom say that other night but I could be mistaken.
It literally says in the article that if he was the majors from this day forward he will be 1 year shy of a full service time…so it does delay his free agency.
Missed that line. I must have been confusing the Super-2 cutoff date with the date for an extra year of control. Still strange timing though when you consider the other factors
Theres no pop in his bat, and hes not an elite defender. meh
He’s not a good runner either. These types of players are relatively safe, but boring
Those were all the things they said about Christian Yellich too, and he’s turned into a pretty damn good ball player.
He is exactly the same kind of player, just not as quick I would say.
If you think he is “exactly the same” as yelich minus some speed, then you have no idea how talent evaluation works.
No. It isn’t. At all. You know you can look these things up, right?
Yelich: (15 overall) Bat: 70. Power: 60. Speed: 60. Defense: 55. Arm: 50.
Winker: (100 overall) Hit (55/70) /Raw Power (40/40)/Game Power (30/40) /Run (40/30) /Fielding (40/45 )/Throw (45/45)
Yelich’s is from baseball america and Winker’s is from fangraphs because he’s not even listed as a top 100 prospect by baseball america this year. Winker is 2+ full grades lower in power and run and is seen as a worse defender to boot.
Sheesh people I’m just an optimistic reds fan. lmao but I appreciate your inputs
Chill 21. A good hitter is a good hitter. I think the Reds will find room for him.
Me no no him who is he. Is he good or bad player me like good ones.