Area Players Still Making Baseball News

Area baseball players are still making news in the Major and Minor Leagues.

Dan Winkler is a member of the Atlanta Braves pitching staff. After coming back from Tommy John surgery, he was selected by the Braves in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft and activated from the DL September 2015. He fractured an elbow April 10, 2016 and missed the remainder of that season and was reactivated August 2017.

In January 2018, the Braves signed Winkler to a one-year contract. The 28-year-old has a 2-0 record and an ERA of 2.64 this season. He's thrown 30.2 innings and struck out 36.

Winkler is an Effingham St. Anthony High School graduate.

Nick Gardewine is a pitcher for the Texas Rangers. The 24-year-old is on the Triple A Round Rock Express. He has been up and down twice from Round Rock to Arlington.

He spent one game up in the Majors tossing two scoreless innings but is back down at Triple A and on the disabled list. He will be utilized as organizational bullpen depth for the foreseeable future.

He is an Effingham High School graduate.

Chad Green is a member of the New York Yankees bullpen. He has a 4-1 record this season with a 2.17 ERA. He's gone 37.1 innings, allowing 31 hits, 10 runs, eight walks and struck out 51.

Green is an Effingham High School graduate.

Ben Hecht, a St. Anthony graduate, is a member of the South Bend Cubs in the Class A Midwest Baseball League.

He has appeared in 17 games allowing 15 hits, 12 runs, 11 earned, issued 18 walks and struck out 30. He has a 3.71 ERA and one save.

Spencer Patton, is competing for the BayStars of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan.

The 30-year-old has been a member of the team for two years. He has thrown in 21 games and has a 2-0 record. He's gone 20 innings, allowed 20 hits, seven walks and 28 strikeouts for a 3.60 ERA.

Patton is a South Central High School graduate.