The Career of Kaylen Winters (MLB 14: The Show, PS3)

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2014 Topps Amateur Showcase and Draft

A lot of hype and talk goes on around draft time. Analysts, fans, and teams alike are all looking for the next big thing, the future of their franchise. In recent years, we've seen a lot of camera flashing around guys like Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg but what about the other guys? Not everyone goes in the 1st round of the draft but not all 1st rounders ever make it to the bigs. Nobody really knows what will come of all the young players that get drafted each and every season but there are some that stand out and this year the guy to watch is Kaylen Winters.

The eighteen year old pitcher from Tempe, AZ was selected to be a part of the West team for the exclusive Topps Amateur Showcase. In the first game of the showcase, Winter threw 3.0 innings striking out two and allowing just two hits while not factoring in the decision. Winters went another 3.0 innings in game two against the East with two strikeouts, two walks, and only one hit allowed. He finished the showcase off with another strong 3.0 innings, three strikeouts, and only one hit allowed. Going into the 2014 draft he was projected in the middle of the 1st round.

The Royals selected SP Kaylen Winters as the 18th pick in the 1st round. Analysts believe that Winters isn't on the same level as some of the other pitchers taken ahead of him but believe that the Royals stole him, getting him that late in the round. The Royals see him as one of their top prospects and have announced that be their AA affiliate, the NW Arkansas Naturals, number three starter. "I'm just stoked to be here." said Winters after signing. "I've worked hard my whole life to get this far but I'm still not where I want to be. My dream hasn't been fulfilled yet and until I get to that point I'm going to do all I can to reach that goal."

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Kaylen Winters Career Stats Stats - Pitching
NAME	GP	GS	W	L	SV	QS	HLD	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
14: NWA (AA, KC)	4	4	4	0	0	4	0	28.1	23	5	1	6	29	1.02	1.59

AWARDS
Player of the Game (AA): 3

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4/5/14 (at Frisco) - Kaylen Winters made his AA debut with the NW Arkansas Naturals today against the Frisco Roughriders. The young eighteen year old went six strong innings allowing five hits, one walk, and two runs while striking out seven. Winters received the win in the contest and other then for a couple hitters, looked dominant on the mound today. "I was a bit nervous at first which I'm sure was obvious in that first inning. But, after that initial feeling of butterflies in my stomach I just remembered to do what I've always done. Once I got back to that I felt like I was in complete control." said Winters after the game. Winters' next start will come against the Frisco Roughriders at home on April 11th vs. Robby Novoa.

Profile Card - Kaylen Winters
	Kaylen Winters | SP NW Arkansas Naturals (AA)
	Height: 6-4	Bats/Throws: R/R
	Weight: 200	Age: 18 years old
	Season G W-L ERA GS SV HLD IP BB SO WHIP 2014 1 1-0 3.00 1 0 0 6.0 1 7 1.00
	Apr. 5th DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA at FRI W 6.0 5 2 2 1 7 0 103-68 3.00

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4/11/14 (vs. Frisco) - Winters won round 2 of Winters vs Novoa. The young righty dominated the zone with his mid 90s fastball, filthy slurve, and untouchable splitter. Winters K'ed up nine of Frisco's hitters and dominated for six innings. He proceeded to go back out for his seventh inning of work and after getting a lead off out, gave up a hard hit double to the gap ending Winters night. Winters walked one in his 6.1 innings, allowing two runs and seven hits. His next start is scheduled for April 16th at Tulsa against Travis Gallegos (1-0, 2.45 ERA).

Profile Card - Kaylen Winters
	Kaylen Winters | SP NW Arkansas Naturals (AA)
	Height: 6-4	Bats/Throws: R/R
	Weight: 200	Age: 18 years old
	Season G W-L ERA GS SV HLD IP BB SO WHIP 2014 2 2-0 2.92 2 0 0 12.1 2 16 1.14
	Apr. 11th DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA FRI W 6.1 7 2 2 1 9 0 86-65 2.92

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4/16/14 (at Tulsa) - Kaylen Winters continued his dominating ways on Wednesday against Tulsa tossing a four hit shutout. It took the righty 132 pitches to hurl the gem but it was well worth it as he moved to 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA for the year.

"I just felt great out there today. My stuff was moving and felt sharper coming out of my hand. I had a little problem finding the strike zone early on because that umpire's zone was tight but once I found it I had no problem." said Winters.

When asked about how he felt after the game he had this to say, "Oh, man I was dead tired there coming out for the 8th. I really had nothing left in the tank and I was pretty much felt like I was throwing BP but they just hit everything right at our guys. I think now I'm going to go and just sit in the jacuzzi for the next day or two to recover."

The bright, young star takes the mound next week on April 22nd at home versus the Springfield Cardinals.

Profile Card - Kaylen Winters
	Kaylen Winters | SP NW Arkansas Naturals (AA)
	Height: 6-4	Bats/Throws: R/R
	Weight: 200	Age: 18 years old
	Season G W-L ERA GS SV HLD IP BB SO WHIP 2014 3 3-0 1.69 3 0 0 21.1 5 23 0.98
	Apr. 16th DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA at TUL W 9.0 4 0 0 3 7 0 132-83 1.69

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4/22/14 (vs Springfield) - Winters provided the Naturals yet another quality outing as they beat the Springfield Cardinals 5-2. Winters went seven innings allowing seven hits, one walk, and two run (one earned) while striking out six. Winters has now shown that he isn't a fluke and that he is the real deal as he has dominated hitters for his past four starts. The 18 year old is looking like he might be everything the Royals expect and more.

Profile Card - Kaylen Winters
	Kaylen Winters | SP NW Arkansas Naturals (AA)
	Height: 6-4	Bats/Throws: R/R
	Weight: 200	Age: 18 years old
	Season G W-L ERA GS SV HLD IP BB SO WHIP 2014 4 4-0 1.59 4 0 0 28.1 6 29 1.02
	Apr. 22nd DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA SPR W 7.0 7 2 1 1 6 1 103-72 1.59