Effingham Native Winkler Drafted by Braves from Rockies

St. Anthony High School graduate Danny Winkler has been claimed by the Atlanta Braves from the Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball's Rule 5 Draft Thursday.

Winkler was reportedly on the fast track to the major leagues until he suffered a torn ligament in his pitching elbow in June. He was left off the Rockies' 40-man roster so was available in the draft. The right-hander had posted eyepopping stats in the minors until his injury, so a complete recovery could get him back on track to the majors.

Under the Rule 5 Draft, the team that picks a player has to keep him in the majors for the next season or return him to the team from which he was selected.

There are Rule 5 Draft success stories currently in the majors. Hector Rondon is an example. The Cubs chose him from the Cleveland Indians two seasons ago and he now is the closer for Chicago.