Headlines

  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Braves Sign Jake Lamb
  • Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Reds Promote Jesse Winker

By Steve Adams | April 14, 2017 at 12:17pm CDT

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.

Share 0 Retweet 11 Send via email0

Cincinnati Reds Jesse Winker Top Prospect Promotions Transactions

AL Central Notes: Naquin, Anderson, Soto, Tigers
Main
Phillies Prospect Elniery Garcia Receives 80-Game PED Suspension
17 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. ksoze

    4 years ago

    !!! YES !!!

    Like
    Reply
  2. cincysports24

    4 years ago

    YES YES YES I’M STOKED

    Like
    Reply
  3. mvottop

    4 years ago

    Finally!!!

    Like
    Reply
  4. redsfan48

    4 years ago

    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?

    Like
    Reply
    • redsfan48

      4 years ago

      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.

      Like
      Reply
      • BrandonGregory74

        4 years ago

        I think Cody Reed is starting Sunday. I thought I heard Thom say that other night but I could be mistaken.

        Like
        Reply
    • sjcourtney

      4 years ago

      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.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • redsfan48

        4 years ago

        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

        Like
        Reply
  5. Brixton

    4 years ago

    Theres no pop in his bat, and hes not an elite defender. meh

    1 Like
    Reply
    • chesteraarthur

      4 years ago

      He’s not a good runner either. These types of players are relatively safe, but boring

      Like
      Reply
    • HereComeThePhillies2018

      4 years ago

      Those were all the things they said about Christian Yellich too, and he’s turned into a pretty damn good ball player.

      Like
      Reply
      • cincysports24

        4 years ago

        He is exactly the same kind of player, just not as quick I would say.

        Like
        Reply
        • chesteraarthur

          4 years ago

          If you think he is “exactly the same” as yelich minus some speed, then you have no idea how talent evaluation works.

          Like
          Reply
      • chesteraarthur

        4 years ago

        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.

        Like
        Reply
        • cincysports24

          4 years ago

          Sheesh people I’m just an optimistic reds fan. lmao but I appreciate your inputs

          Like
          Reply
  6. ksoze

    4 years ago

    Chill 21. A good hitter is a good hitter. I think the Reds will find room for him.

    Like
    Reply
  7. Republican

    4 years ago

    Me no no him who is he. Is he good or bad player me like good ones.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Mariners CEO Kevin Mather Resigns

    Athletics Sign Trevor Rosenthal

    Recent

    MLBTR Poll: Shortstop Extension Candidates

    Chicago Notes: Baez, Pederson, Kopech

    Health Notes: Yordan, E-Rod, Bailey, Nottingham, Parra

    Giants Claim Jordan Humphreys

    Minor MLB Transactions: 2/26/21

    Braves Outright Phil Pfeifer

    Angels To Sign Jesse Chavez

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Sign Terrance Gore To Minor League Deal

    Diamondbacks Designate Travis Bergen, Keury Mella For Assignment

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    • Taijuan Walker Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version