Get to Know Twins Draft Pick OF Brandon Winokur

Despite the assumption that Minnesota would again lean towards college bats, they opted to take three prep players with their first four picks. Brandon Winokur was the second outfielder they grabbed, and despite playing plenty of shortstop in high school, the assumption is that he fits best in one of the corners at the next level.

Finding five-tool talents isn’t necessarily the most difficult thing, but being able to refine and develop them is what separates the best players. Winokur absolutely falls into the category of a player that has it all, and his big 6’6” frame will be fun to watch grow through professional ball.

I had the opportunity to talk with him prior to his celebratory Dairy Queen S’mores Blizzard, and here’s what he had to say:

Twins Daily: Tell me a little bit about your game, takeaways from the senior year of high school, and how you’d describe yourself at the plate and in the field?

Brandon Winokur: My senior season was pretty successful. I ended up with nine jacks, batted .365, a couple stolen bases, and defensive runs saved. It was a great year overall. I couldn’t have asked for anything better, and I’ve loved Edison High School for four years. I like to find balance in my game. I’m a really competitive guy, but I like to play loose and have a lot of fun when I play baseball. It stems from my love of the game from when I was little. I never take myself too seriously. I have tried to model my game after different players across MLB. Growing up watching Mike Trout, Angels Stadium is like a 20 minute drive, being a five-tool player made me want to hone in on all five skills. Once I got to 6’6” it’s been a little more difficult to keep my speed, but I’ve done a lot of hill runs and things like that to stay in that shape.

TD: There were a lot of notes regarding you being a five-tool player with all of the raw tools. What would you say from a development standpoint are the things you’re most excited about honing your game as far as those tools?

BW: You know what, I am looking forward to every single new day that I go out to the field, there will be a new challenge for me. I feel like that’s the beauty of baseball. There are always new challenges for me to adapt to and overcome. Now matter if I go 0-for-5 or 5-for-5, I’m up for the challenge. I’m excited to expand in all areas of my game.

TD: The Twins took three high schoolers in the first four picks this year, which hasn’t been customary for them. All three of you exude maturity and come across as well put together individuals and ballplayers. Where does that come from for you?

BW: I had the opportunity to play with Walker (Jenkins) and Charlee (Soto) in the PDP League last year and that was an absolute blast. Those were two of the guys that I felt like I connected with the most, which is funny since we all got drafted by the same team. I feel like my family has 99% to do with my maturity. I’ve grown up in a household where my dad is a fire captain at Newport Beach and my mom is a stay at home mom, they run a tight ship. That was the best thing for me. I told them what my dream was when I was little, and they kept me on this path. I’ve grown up with good morals that have come from my family My aunt and uncle, granny and papa, I feel like I’ve grown up in a great environment with a lot of role models at my side. I just want to be like them. My dad gets to go out and make a difference every day in his job, that’s a big deal to me. My mom has been great to me and my brother. It has everything to do with family. I’ve grown up in a great environment.

TD: What do you know about the Twins organization. Have you been to Target Field or Minnesota?

BW: I have not been to Minnesota, but I am looking forward to the first day I get to take batting practice out there. I have actually seen that stadium a lot because I usually put the HitTrax on Target Field because it’s absolutely beautiful. I don’t know much about Minnesota, Royce Lewis was a draft pick a couple of years ago around here. There’s a lot of history there. Kirby Puckett, Rod Carew, as of recently Byron Buxton, it’s a great organization. I’m absolutely blessed to have this opportunity to go play for a team like them.

TD: What does it look like having been excited to play for UCLA and then shift into being excited for an opportunity to play professional ball? What does that thought process look like?

BW: For me since day one, the dream has been to play professional baseball. UCLA has had an amazing history for everything. I love coach Savage, I love those assistant coaches. Since day one though, professional baseball was the goal. I want to go out and go win a championship. I don’t go into things without wanting to win. I’m ready to go prove myself and I’m ready to work.

TD: Outside of baseball, or when you’re not at the field, how do you get away from the game?

BW: I’ve always had a close circle of friends that I hang out with. Phil, Josh, Emerson, Ben, my brother, I usually like hanging out with them. Annelise too. I play a lot of basketball, the beach is five minutes from here, that’s a great outlet. We hang out playing video games, chopping it up at the field, it’s always a good time.

Welcome to Twins Territory, Brandon!

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