“Are you messing with me?” Winker asked.
It was no joke. The Cincinnati Reds drafted Winker in the supplemental first round with the 49th overall pick in the 2012 draft. He has played in 489 minor league games in the last six seasons. Baseball America ranked him the organization’s sixth-best prospect in January.
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Now Winker, 23, gets a chance in Cincinnati. The Reds sent reliever Barrett Astin back to Louisville on Friday to make room for Winker. It’s likely to be a short stay. The Reds needed an extra bat for the weekend. The starting outfield of Adam Duvall, Billy Hamilton and Scott Schebler won’t change.
Credit: David Jablonski - Staff Writer
Credit: David Jablonski - Staff Writer
That didn’t matter to Winker. As he said more than once in an interview before the second game of a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, he will do whatever the team asks.
“This is what you dream of as a kid: getting your opportunity,” Winker said. “I’ve kind of laddered my way up through the organization. Now I’m at the top, and I get to help the big club win. It’s really, really cool. It hasn’t sunk in yet. Right now, I’m soaking it all in, and I’m ready to go play.”
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Winker called his parents first Thursday night. He said his mom had flights booked to Cincinnati within the hour. His mom and dad and two brothers planned to attend the game Friday.
Last season, Winker hit .303 in 106 games with Louisville. He hit .323 in eight games this month with the Bats.
“I was seeing the ball well and hitting it hard,” Winker said. “That’s all I try to do. Wherever it falls, it falls. I just try to do that over the course of 500 to 600 at-bats. It’s worked for me so far. I try to keep it simple.”
Winker visited the Reds clubhouse in the winter and tried to imagine where his locker would be when he earned the call for the first time. He discovered Friday he’s locker neighbors with starting pitcher Amir Garrett. Four Reds have made their big-league debuts this season. When Winker plays, he’ll be the fifth.
“I just feel this new wave is coming,” Winker said. “We’ve all been working hard. It’s going to be a cool year for all of us.”
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