Jesse Winker

Winker was born in Buffalo, New York, and lived nearby in Niagara Falls before moving to Orlando, Florida, at the age of seven.{{cite news|url=http://buffalonews.com/2017/07/28/jesse-winker-enjoys-homecoming-coca-cola-field/|title=WNYer Jesse Winker, a Reds prospect, enjoys homecoming at Coca-Cola Field|date=July 28, 2017|work=The Buffalo News|author=Moritz, Amy|access-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730211823/http://buffalonews.com/2017/07/28/jesse-winker-enjoys-homecoming-coca-cola-field/|url-status=live|archive-date=July 30, 2017}} He attended Olympia High School in Orlando.{{Cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120604&content_id=32756496&vkey=news_cin&c_id=cin |title=Reds take pair of potential run-producing OFs |date=May 24, 2013 |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419184629/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120604&content_id=32756496&vkey=news_cin&c_id=cin |archive-date=April 19, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014}} As a junior at Olympia, he had a .509 batting average.{{cite news |last1=Romine |first1=Brentley |title=Baseball season preview: Olympia seniors focused amid draft talk |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-xpm-2012-02-12-os-hs-olympia-walker-weickel-jesse-winker-20120212-story.html |access-date=March 9, 2020 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=February 12, 2012}} He had committed to play college baseball at the University of Florida for the Florida Gators,{{Cite web | url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=183114 |title = Jesse Winker Class of 2012 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA}} but chose to sign with the Reds rather than attend college.

The Cincinnati Reds selected Winker in the first round, with the 49th overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Winker made his professional debut for the Billings Mustangs in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2012/07/31/former-olympia-outfielder-finds-way-in-montana-with-reds-minor-league-team/ |title=Former Olympia outfielder finds way in Montana with Reds' minor-league team |publisher=Articles.orlandosentinel.com |date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=January 17, 2014}} In 62 games, he hit .338/.443/.500 with five home runs in 228 at bats. Prior to the 2013 season, Winker was ranked by Baseball America as the Reds sixth-best prospect.{{cite web|author=J.J. Cooper |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2013/2614529.html |title=2013 Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Prospects |publisher=Baseballamerica.com |date=January 9, 2013 |access-date=January 17, 2014}} He played the 2013 season with the Dayton Dragons{{Cite web |url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/sports/winker-at-19-a-boy-looking-to-be-a-big-leaguer/nX63C/ |title=Winker at 19, a boy looking to be a big leaguer |last=Katz |first=Marc |access-date=April 14, 2017 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120709/http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/sports/winker-at-19-a-boy-looking-to-be-a-big-leaguer/nX63C/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130805&content_id=55958960&vkey=news_cin&c_id=cin |title=Reds prospect Winker has swing that sings |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=January 17, 2014}} where he became a Midwest League All-Star and Home Run Derby champion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/jesse-winker-among-20-greatest-dragons-305055358|title=Jesse Winker among 20 Greatest Dragons|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en|access-date=April 2, 2020}} He hit .281/.379/.463 with 16 home runs in 417 at bats over 112 games.

Before the 2014 season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the Reds fourth best prospect.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2014-cincinnati-reds-top-10-prospects/ |title=2014 Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Prospects |publisher=Baseballamerica.com |access-date=January 17, 2014}} He started the season with the Bakersfield Blaze. In June he was promoted to the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos.{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2014/07/13/reds-jesse-winker-compared-jay-bruce/12609623/|title=Reds prospect Jesse Winker compared to Jay Bruce|access-date=April 14, 2017}} In July, Winker played in the All-Star Futures Game, going 1–2.{{cite web|url=http://m.reds.mlb.com/news/article/84534610/reds-robert-stephenson-jesse-winker-hope-to-build-on-futures-game|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025134/http://m.reds.mlb.com/news/article/84534610/reds-robert-stephenson-jesse-winker-hope-to-build-on-futures-game|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|title=Reds' Robert Stephenson, Jesse Winker hope to build on Futures Game|access-date=April 14, 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Vilona |first1=Bill |title=Blue Wahoos players create memories in Futures Game win |url=https://www.pnj.com/story/sports/2014/07/13/wahoos-futures-game/12612109/ |website=pnj.com |publisher=Pensacola News Journal |access-date=April 14, 2017 |date=July 13, 2014}} His season came to an end in July after suffering a partially torn tendon in his right wrist in a car accident.{{cite web|last1=Rosecrans |first1=C. Trent|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2014/07/26/cincinnati-reds-jesse-winker/13222581/|title=Car wreck likely to end Reds prospect's season|publisher=cincinnati.com|access-date=April 14, 2017|date=July 26, 2014}} In 74 games, he hit .287/.399/.518 with 15 home runs and 57 runs batted in (RBI). Winker returned after the season to play in the Arizona Fall League.{{cite web|url=http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/sports/local/2014/10/10/reds-winker-looks-good-return-diamond/17055741/|title=Reds' Winker looks good in return to diamond|access-date=April 14, 2017}} Winker spent 2015 with Pensacola, where he posted a .282 batting average with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/jesse-winker-608385|title=Jesse Winker Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 14, 2017}}

File:Jesse Winker (5663927) (cropped).jpg

The Reds added Winker to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2016/11/18/jesse-winker-among-7-protected-rule-5-draft/94078616/|title=Jesse Winker among 7 protected from Rule 5 draft|access-date=April 14, 2017}} He began the 2017 season with the Louisville Bats of the Class AAA International League,{{cite web|url=http://www.wcpo.com/sports/baseball/reds/reds-option-of-prospect-jesse-winker-to-aaa-louisville|title=Reds option OF prospect Jesse Winker to AAA Louisville|author=WCPO Staff|date=March 24, 2017|access-date=April 14, 2017}} and was promoted to the major leagues on April 14.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/cincinnati-reds-calling-up-jesse-winker-for-major-league-debut-224260336|title=Reds calling up Winker for big league debut: No. 63 overall prospect went 10-for-31 in eight games at Triple-A|first=Sam|last=Dykstra|work=Minor League Baseball|date=April 14, 2017|access-date=April 14, 2017}} In 2017, Winker batted .298 with seven home runs in 47 games played. Winker began 2018 with Cincinnati, and was a starting outfielder before a right shoulder injury in July ended his season.{{cite web |last1=Baer |first1=Bill |title=Jesse Winker to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery |url=https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2018/07/26/jesse-winker-to-undergo-season-ending-shoulder-surgery/ |website=mlb.nbcsports.com |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=July 27, 2018 |date=July 26, 2018}} Prior to his injury, he slashed .299/.405/.431 with seven home runs and 43 RBIs.{{cite web |title=Jesse Winker Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/winkeje01.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports-Reference.com |access-date=May 9, 2019}}

In 2019 for Cincinnati, Winker played in 113 games with a batting line of .269/.357/.473 to go along with a career-high 16 home runs as well as 38 RBI.{{Cite web|url=https://blogredmachine.com/2019/09/30/cincinnati-reds-grading-jesse-winkers-inconsistent-2019-season/|title = Cincinnati Reds: Grading Jesse Winker's inconsistent 2019 season| date=September 30, 2019 }} In 2020, Winker played in 54 games for the Reds, slashing .255/.388/.544 with 12 home runs and 23 RBI.{{Cite web|url=https://blogredmachine.com/2021/03/08/cincinnati-reds-confident-jesse-winker-lead-league-home-runs/|title=Cincinnati Reds: Confident Jesse Winker will lead the league in home runs|date=March 8, 2021|website=Blog Red Machine}} He was nominated by MLB.com to play as the designated hitter for the National League Unofficial 2020 All-Star team.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/unofficial-2020-mlb-all-star-teams |title=The 2020 All-Star teams could have been ... |date=August 26, 2020 |website=MLB.com |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |language=en |access-date=June 21, 2021}}

On June 6, 2021, Winker hit three home runs in a narrow 8–7 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals, helping the Reds complete a four-game sweep with his second three-homer game of the year. He also became the first player in Reds history to log multiple 3-homer games in a season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jesse-winker-hits-three-home-runs-as-reds-sweep|title='Special ballplayer': Winker's 3 HRS lift Reds|website=MLB.com}} That season, he was named the NL starting right fielder for the All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2021/07/12/all-star-game-reds-nick-castellanos-jesse-winker-grateful/7945761002/|title='Pretty surreal': Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker enjoying All-Star Game experience|first=Bobby|last=Nightengale|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer|date=July 12, 2021|accessdate=September 2, 2021}}

On March 14, 2022, the Reds traded Winker and Eugenio Suárez to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Justin Dunn, Jake Fraley, Brandon Williamson,{{cite news |title=Mariners complete blockbuster trade with Reds for All-Star Jesse Winker and more |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-receive-jesse-winker-eugenio-suarez-from-reds-for-justin-dunn-jake-fraley-and-brandon-williamson/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=Seattle Times |date=March 14, 2022}} and a player to be named later, which turned out to be Connor Phillips.{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Daniel |title=Mariners' No. 15 prospect traded to Cincinnati |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/connor-phillips-player-to-be-named-later-in-jesse-winker-trade |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=March 29, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Dave |title=Reactions: Connor Phillips joins Reds as player to be named later in trade with Mariners |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/03/30/connor-phillips-player-named-later-ptbnl-reds-mariners-trade-winker-suarez-fraley-dunn-williamson/7214602001/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=March 30, 2022}} The transaction was a cost-cutting measure that saved the franchise just under $36 million, and was unpopular with Reds fans.[https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/sports/2022/03/16/blackburn-fans-suffering-most-reds-teardownblackburn-fans-suffering-the-most-from-reds-teardown/7045031001/ Blackburn, Sam. "Reds fans know trading good players in prime to cut payroll isn't way to win," Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH), Wednesday, March 16, 2022.] Retrieved July 30, 2022.

On April 24, Winker hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning for his first walk-off as a member of the Mariners.{{cite news |last1=Wicke |first1=Tyler |title=Jesse Winker's extra-inning walk-off clinches series sweep over Royals, Mariners win 5-4 |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners/article260727662.html |work=The News Tribune |date=April 24, 2022}} Winker and the Mariners agreed to a two-year contract on June 16.{{cite news |title=Seattle Mariners, OF Jesse Winker avoid arbitration with 2-year deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34102914/seattle-mariners-jesse-winker-avoid-arbitration-2-year-deal |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |date=June 16, 2022}}

During a June 26 game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium, Winker was hit in the thigh by an alleged beanball from Angels pitcher Andrew Wantz. Winker proceeded to charge the Angels dugout and a bench-clearing brawl ensued. He first confronted injured Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon, and Rendon proceeded to strike Winker in the face with his left hand while wearing a cast on his right, then Winker later got into an altercation with Ryan Tepera. Winker was later seen arguing with Angels interim manager Phil Nevin shortly before another skirmish broke out near them. Winker, along with several other players from both the Mariners and Angels, was ejected from the game.{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Daniel |last2=Wexler |first2=Sarah |title=Winker HBP leads to intense benches-clearing scene |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-angels-benches-clear |access-date=June 27, 2022 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=June 26, 2022}} Upon leaving the field, Winker flipped off the Angel Stadium crowd sitting behind the visitors' dugout, a gesture for which he later apologized.{{cite magazine |last1=Selbe |first1=Nick |title=Jesse Winker Flips Off Crowd After HBP, Brawl in Angels-Mariners |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/06/26/angels-mariners-brawl-benches-clear-fight-jesse-winker-hit-by-pitch |access-date=June 27, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=June 26, 2022}}

In 2022, Winker batted .219/.344/.344 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs, with a career-worst .688 OPS.{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/before-his-return-to-seattle-jesse-winker-reflects-on-down-year-with-mariners/|title=Before his return to Seattle, Jesse Winker reflects on down year with Mariners|date=April 16, 2023|website=The Seattle Times}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/winkeje01.shtml|title=Jesse Winker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} After the season, he had surgery on his knee and his neck.{{cite web | url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/10/19/mariners-frustrated-with-tired-act-jesse-winker-per-seattle-reporter-former-cincinnati-reds/69575291007/ | title=Seattle reporter says Mariners are frustrated with 'tired act' Jesse Winker }}{{cite web | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-jesse-winker-has-knee-surgery-will-need-neck-surgery/ | title=Mariners' Jesse Winker has one surgery and needs another | date=October 19, 2022 }}

In October 2022, Seattle Mariners beat writer Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times spoke about Winker's work ethic and future with the team. Asked why Winker wasn't with the team during an American League Division Series, Divish said:

I think he was home.... I think they probably just told him to go home.... I think by the end of the season, it's what scouts call a tired act. I just think some of his teammates were done with him, were just tired of putting up with him. I think the team is frustrated with him. Everything that Mitch Haniger does to prepare for a game to get ready, Jesse Winker's kind of the opposite.... I don't think he puts in the time to be better defensively or to have a better arm or any of the work that should be done.... And it's noticeable. Players notice it.... And once you lose your teammates, why be there? So there's gonna be some hard conversations either with Jesse from this front office, or they're just gonna move on.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/10/19/mariners-frustrated-with-tired-act-jesse-winker-per-seattle-reporter-former-cincinnati-reds/69575291007/|title=Seattle reporter says Mariners are frustrated with 'tired act' Jesse Winker|website=The Enquirer}}

On December 2, 2022, the Mariners traded Winker and Abraham Toro to the Milwaukee Brewers for Kolten Wong.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35165812/mariners-acquire-2b-kolten-wong-brewers | title=Mariners land 2B Wong in trade with Brewers | date=December 2, 2022 }}

In the 2023 regular season, Winker batted .199/.320/.247 in 166 at bats with one home run, 23 RBIs, and 51 strikeouts with the Brewers, with isolated power of .048. He was in the bottom 1% of all major league players in speed, had career lows in his exit velocity (86.8 mph) and hard hit percentage (31.9%), and had a career-high strikeout percentage (25.9%).{{Cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/jesse-winker-608385?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb|title=Jesse Winker Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com|website=baseballsavant.com}} He played 49 games at DH, and six games in the corner outfield. In the post-season, he went hitless in two at bats. He became a free agent following the season.

File:Jesse Winker Nationals 6.24.2024.jpg

On February 12, 2024, Winker signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/nationals-sign-jesse-winker-to-minor-league-deal.html|title=Nationals Sign Jesse Winker To Minor League Deal|date=February 12, 2024|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} On March 24, the Nationals selected Winker's contract, adding him to the major league roster.{{Cite web |last=Deeds |first=Nick |date=March 24, 2024 |title=Nationals Select Eddie Rosario, Jesse Winker, Matt Barnes |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/nationals-select-eddie-rosario-jesse-winker-matt-barnes.html |access-date=June 28, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 101 games for Washington, he batted .257/.374/.419 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI, and 14 stolen bases.

On July 28, 2024, the Nationals traded Winker to the New York Mets in exchange for minor league pitcher Tyler Stuart.{{Cite web |title=Nats deal Winker to Mets for RHP prospect Stuart |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jesse-winker-nationals-mets-trade |access-date=July 28, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=Mets acquire OF Jesse Winker in trade with Nationals |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40659748/mets-finalizing-trade-jesse-winker-nationals-sources-say |access-date=July 28, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=July 28, 2024}} On August 21, during a game against the Baltimore Orioles, Winker hit his first home run as a Met, a walk-off home run off of pitcher Seranthony Domínguez, giving the Mets a 4–3 victory.[https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/mets/2024/08/21/jesse-winker-first-ny-mets-hr-walk-off-win-orioles/74888067007/ Jesse Winker makes his first Mets HR count in walk-off win over Orioles], Bergen Record, August 21, 2024 In 44 games for the Mets in 2024, Winker batted .243/.318/.365 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI.

On October 8 in the 2024 National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Winker hit his first career postseason home run, a solo home run to right field off of pitcher Aaron Nola.{{Cite web |title=Jesse Winker's solo home run {{!}} 10/08/2024 |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/jesse-winker-s-solo-home-run-x3696?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} In the 2024 MLB postseason, Winker played in 10 games for the Mets, batting .318/.531/.636 with one home run and 4 RBI.{{Cite web |title=Jesse Winker Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jesse-winker-608385 |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} After the season, he became a free agent.

On January 17, 2025, Winker re-signed with the Mets on a one-year, $8 million contract.{{cite web | last=Ladson | first=Bill | last2=Foster | first2=Jason | title=Jesse Winker contract with Mets | website=MLB.com | date=2025-01-17 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jesse-winker-contract-with-mets | access-date=2025-04-13}}

Winker has a daughter named Wren. His father, Joe, runs a baseball training facility. His older brother, Joey, was an outfielder/first baseman in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization from 2011-2013.{{cite web |title=Jesse Winker Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jesse-winker-608385 |website=MLB.com |access-date=June 17, 2024 |language=en}}

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Category:1993 births

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