Kyle Winters
| IP | 557 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.813 |
| WHIP | 1.201 |
| BB/9 | 2.472 |
| SO/9 | 6.156 |
- Full name Kyle P. Winters
- Born 04/22/1987 in Denver, CO
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Pomona
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Drafted in the 5th round (156th overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2005 (signed for $166,000).
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Tall, slender and athletic, Winters has a similar build and delivery as Roy Halladay and Brandon McCarthy at the same stage of their careers. He also has excellent makeup and is projectable. His arm works easy, his fastball tops out at 92 mph with the potential for more velocity and his breaking stuff is adequate. He went unbeaten this spring while striking out 81 in 51 innings. Winters, a New Mexico recruit, is not only the best talent in the state, but he's also the most signable among the elite prospects.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Winters' supporters keep waiting for him to take off, but it truly hasn't happened yet. The main culprit is nagging injuries, such as the groin problem that cost him a few starts in 2008, and the minor elbow issue that caused him to be shut down near the end of the previous season. Raised in Colorado, he came into the system somewhat raw and projectable, reminding some of fellow Coloradans Roy Halladay and Brandon McCarthy. Winters pitches at 88-91 mph with natural cut action on his fastball. He uses two breaking balls, with his 84-85 mph slider more effective than his curveball. His changeup has the potential to be a solid third pitch. Winters is smart and coachable but he also tries to be too perfect at times. He had a pair of seven-walk games last year in high Class A when he refused to adjust to tight strike zones. He'll advance to Double-A in 2009. -
Easily overlooked because of the starting pitching depth ahead of him in the system, Winters nonetheless has his supporters. Some view him as the sleeper of the mound crop, but he'll have to overcome some minor elbow issues first. Elbow soreness caused him to be shut down for seven weeks in May and June, but he returned and surpassed 100 innings for the first time as a pro. Smart and extremely coachable, Winters has an 88-91 mph fastball that he works down in the zone for strikes. He commands both his slider and curveball, with his slider more of an out pitch and likely the breaking ball that will win out in the future. His changeup could become a plus pitch as well. Due to his Colorado upbringing, he remains relatively raw with a lean, projectable frame that evokes comparisons to a young Roy Halladay or Brandon McCarthy. He should open 2008 in high Class A. -
It's easy for a righthanded starter to get lost in the shuffle considering the Marlins' depth in that area, but Winters is doing his part to stay on the radar. Unbeaten as a high school senior with 81 strikeouts in 51 innings, he was a University of New Mexico signee who slipped to the fifth round and signed for $166,000. His Colorado roots mean he's still relatively raw, but his lean, projectable frame has prompted comparisons to a young Roy Halladay or Brandon McCarthy. Winters' fastball ranges from 89-92 mph with good life and the potential to add a little velocity as he gains strength. He can command his slurvy breaking ball, which makes it a tick above average, and his changeup is coming along. Among Marlins insiders, Winters evokes memories of a young Josh Johnson in terms of his ability to pitch downhill and create leverage. Their quiet personalities are similar, too. Winters' makeup is excellent and he accepts coaching well. He should go to low Class A in 2007.
