Winkler was a 10th-round draftee of the Athletics in 2021. The University of San Francisco product played four seasons in the A-system, peaking in Double-A. Miami grabbed him in the Triple-A phase of last season’s Rule 5 draft. Winkler got a few appearances over the course of the season as the last player on Clayton McCullough’s bench.
He played in 14 games, starting four in center field. Winkler went 4-16 with a stolen base and committed two errors in 44 1/3 innings of defensive work. He also spent the season at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he hit .225/.299/.333 with a strikeout rate of 28% in his first action at that level. Winkler was an asset on the bases in the minors, stealing 25 bags in 76 games without being thrown out. He played primarily at third base in Triple-A with sporadic action in center.
Houston will likely start Winkler back in Triple-A as a right-handed infield depth piece. He’s been a below-average hitter throughout his minor league career, so it’s unlikely he’ll be in contention for an Opening Day roster spot even if the Astros trade an infielder during Spring Training. Winkler still has options left and could bounce back and forth between Houston and Triple-A Sugar Land if he can land a 40-man spot at some point.
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