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Prospects are not always easy to rank, and the smaller a “sample size” we have, the harder it is to rank that player. Our choice for the ninth-ranked Twins prospect coming into 2024 has just 17 games of pro ball under his belt. Before last July, he had played zero games above high school. However, he was impressive in those 17 games, and his raw tools have Twins fans (and prospect rankers) excited.
Brandon Winokur
Age: 19 (DOB: 12/16/04)
2023 Stats (FCL): 71 PA, .288/.338/.546, 5 2B, 4 HR, 0 SB, 122 wRC+
ETA: 2028
2023 Ranking: NR
National Top 100 Rankings
BA: NR | MLB: NR | ATH: NR | BP: NR
It's hard not to get excited when you talk about high-school players with tremendous upside and potentially five-tool talent. It’s also important to remember that having tools is insufficient. How many of those tools will develop into skills over the coming seasons to help the player make the big leagues and thrive when they get there?
When Twins fans look at the team’s 2023 draft, there are at least two players with five-tool potential. Today, we will discuss third-round pick (82nd overall) Brandon Winokur, a five-tool talent from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California.
What's to Like
There are a lot of attributes to like with Winokur, on and off the baseball diamond. The first thing you notice is that he stands out on the field--literally. At the draft, Winokur was listed at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. There are rumors that he has grown another inch in the offseason.
Beyond simple height, Winokur is incredibly athletic. Before high school, he played football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track. He comes from a family of athletes. His father was a track and field decathlete in college. Brandon’s younger brother is one of the top volleyball players in California.
The most obvious “tool” for Winokur is his power and, more importantly, his power potential. While he’s had the size and talent since he was in his early teens, he achieved a strong power display in his senior season of high school. That isn’t likely to immediately translate to pro ball, but it should be exciting when it does.
Winokur has a very strong arm. He pitched in high school and has a fastball reaching into the mid-90s. That’s a valuable trait, whether he is on the left side of the infield or in the outfield. He also has plus speed. Some reports indicate that sometimes it can take a few steps for him to get going, but he runs well. Again, it's all part of him being a great all-around athlete.
That leads us to defense. While there may be questions about what position he will play long-term, there is a belief that he can stick at shortstop or in center field. As we see the emergence of 6-foot-7 shortstops such as Elly De La Cruz and Oneil Cruz, height doesn’t have to be a reason not to play shortstop. Aaron Judge does a very solid job in center field for the Yankees. Video of Winokur at shortstop shows very clean footwork, soft hands, and a strong arm from a lower release point.
Of course, as he continues to grow, work, and mature, that could change. He is known to work hard in the weight room, in the batting cage, on the track, and on his mental game, which shows uncanny maturity.
What's Left to Work On
I mean, dude just turned 19 in December, and he stands five promotions from the big leagues. So yes, he has room to grow each and every aspect of his game.
As it is for many young power hitters, the primary focus will be making contact. Right now, there is a lot of swing-and-miss in his game. His 17-game pro debut in the Florida Complex League was impressive, particularly the nine extra-base hits, but it was a tiny sample in an unfamiliar environment. We don’t want to make too much of anything. However, it’s hard not to notice his walk rate was just 5.6%, while his strikeout percentage was 32.4%
Beyond that, he’ll need to keep working and keep adjusting.
What's Next
Assuming health, Winokur will likely spend the entire season with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. I would guess that the organization has worked on a plan for where to play Winokur. That would include half of his games at shortstop and half in center field. Thinking out loud, I would guess that Walker Jenkins will start the season as the Mussels' starting center fielder. After a half-season, he will be promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids. If that’s the case, I can see Winokur being the primary shortstop in the season’s first half and then move out to center field for the second half.
What do you think of Brandon Winokur and his future? What excites you most about his potential, and what are your biggest concerns? Join the discussion and comment below.
For much more content from Twins Daily on Brandon Winokur, click here.
Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!
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