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Q&A with Miami of Ohio Commit Kyle Winkler

October 9, 2014

By Jeff Markle
Assistant Director of Scouting

Kyle Winker, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound third baseman who has been an anchor for the Chatfield Chargers baseball team has committed to Miami of Ohio to continue his baseball career.  The two-sport varsity letter winner still has some unfinished business on the football field this fall and on the diamond this spring.  Winkler who helped lead the Chargers into the final 8 last year looks to build upon his experience as a junior and make a statement as a senior. 

Winkler will be called upon to lead a Chargers team that lost some key players to graduation, ???We have lost a lot of talent in the graduated senior class of around ten guys. But, we have a lot of talented younger players who will need to step up and fill some key roles. I am excited to see how those players respond for us, and it should be a competitive season???.  As a junior, he hit .525, collected 32 hits, scored 20 runs and drove in 24.

Recently we caught up with Kyle Winkler and here is what he had to say.

PBR: Where did you make visits to during the recruiting process?

Winkler:  I have made visits to Cornell, Princeton, Lafayette, Lehigh, Miami University, Xavier, and UC Davis.

PBR: Why did you choose Miami of Ohio?

Winkler:  The first thing I'm looking for in a college is its academics. I would like to pursue a career in finance, so a great business school would be ideal. Miami of Ohio University has a great program and is a great fit for me not only academically, but also athletically. When I went out to visit, I got a great feel from the coaches and how they run their program, and the facilities and campus really impressed me as well.

PBR: Where did Miami of Ohio first see you compete?

Winkler:  I went out to their camp this fall and that's where they first saw me play.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play during your first year on campus?

Winkler:  I have not discussed in detail my role freshman year with Coach Hayden, but I would love to get on the field anyway I could.

PBR: What is your biggest strength as a player and how do you feel that will help Miami of Ohio?

Winkler:  My biggest strength as a player is my hitting. I have always been a natural hitter. Every team needs players that can hit and drive in runs, I think I can help Miami with a solid bat in the lineup.

PBR:  What is your top baseball memory to this point in your high school career?

Winkler:  The most memorable point in my career up to this point was last spring. My team traveled to Arizona and beat Greenway high school, which was a top 20 ranked program in the nation.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Winkler:  Brandon Stone, my coach this last spring, has had the biggest impact on me as a baseball player. He really influenced me to pursuit baseball in college and really helped me develop this past year.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most exciting experience?

Winkler:  I played for my high school team this summer under Coach Stone. Summer ball is a lot more relaxed but it was great to get out and play almost everyday.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced in Colorado?

Winkler:  The toughest pitcher I have faced is Nick Leonard. We faced him in the final 8 last spring, he plays at Washington State now.

PBR: What are your goals both individually and for the team going into your senior season?

Winkler:   For my senior season, the team goal is always a state championship. But I'd really love to get a league championship before I graduate. As far as individually, I don't like to focus on my stats or get overly concerned with my average or anything like that. So, my individual goals are simply to help put my team in a position to win games.

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