The Braves’ bullpen was quite maligned during the course of the 2018 season, but one of the success stories (at least in the first half) was in reliever Dan Winkler whose future with the team is one of the more interesting decisions the team must make.
Winkler was taken with the 20th round of the 2011 draft by the Rockies and began his career as a starter where he excelled in Colorado’s minor league system. He posted big time strikeout numbers and was moving quickly through their system. Unfortunately, he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014 and the Braves, sensing an opportunity for an upside arm, took him in the Rule 5 draft that year.