Steve Winnick was taken by the Mets in the 31st round of the 2010 draft with the 932rd overall pick.  A Native of California, he played two seasons in the Mets organization before being cut from minor league camp in Spring Training on March 26, 2012.

In 2010, the righthander played for two different rookie teams with the Mets,  the Gulf Coast League Mets in the Gulf Coast League, from June 27th – July 7th and the Kingsport Mets in the Appalachian League, from July 10th – Aug 29th.

In 2010, Winnick appeared  in 17 games, all in relief.  He had a record of 1-2 with a 3.58 ERA with three saves, pitching 27 2/3 innings.  He allowed 31 hits, eight walks, struck out 13 and had a WHIP of 1.41.

In 2011, he played the entire season with the Brooklyn Cyclones (A-) of the New York Penn League.  Steve pitched in 26 games, all in relief, with a record of 4-0 and an ERA of 2.97 and no saves.  In 33 1/3 innings, the he  allowed 24 hits, walked 11, struck out 20 and had a WHIP of 1.05.

Winnick’s career stat line reflected 43 appearances with a record of 5-2 and an ERA of 3.25.  He pitched 61 innings, allowed 55 hits, walked 19, struck out 33, and had a WHIP of 1.21.

His stat line wasn’t bad and just goes to show how competitive it is and how hard it is to move up through the ranks, especially for a higher round draft pick.  His 2011 season in Brooklyn produced an ERA under three, a WHIP of 1.05 and earned him a spot until the end of March of 2012, but he couldn’t crack the roster.  Minor league careers can be short for later round right handed relievers with low strikeout rates.