Kyle Winkler was announced as the pitching coach on July 5, 2019.
Winkler comes to UIW from Houston, where he was announced as the volunteer assistant coach in June. Prior to Houston, Winkler spent the 2019 season as a student assistant. Winkler has vast experience as a player, having spent three seasons at TCU (2009-11) before being drafted (10th Round (Pick 304) of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks) and playing in the minor league ranks for six years.
PLAYING AT TCU
Winkler was a pitcher at TCU from 2009 to 2011, where he was twice named an All-Mountain West Conference performer (2010 second team, 2011 first team). Winkler was selected to the 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and earned third team All-American honors by both Louisville Slugger and the NCBWA in 2011.
As a true freshman at TCU in 2009, Winkler helped the program to its first berth in a NCAA Super Regional. Winkler followed with an even stronger crusade as a sophomore, helping the Horned Frogs to their first College World Series appearance.
For his TCU career, Winkler was 27-6 with a 2.95 ERA in 50 appearances with 46 starts. He tossed five complete games and recorded 239 strikeouts across 281.0 innings of work.
Following his junior campaign, Winkler was drafted in the 10th Round (Pick 304) of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
After being drafted, Winkler spent six seasons in the minor league ranks with the Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays. He made 20 starts as part of 215 career appearances. In 352.0 innings pitched, Winkler was 16-22 with a 4.50 ERA and 345 strikeouts.
Winkler also played one season for the Sugar Land Skeeters, helping the independent club win the 2018 Atlantic League Championship. Competing for his hometown team, he went 1-0 with a 3.79 ERA across 22 appearances out of the bullpen.
HIGH SCHOOL
A native of Sugar Land, Texas, Winkler was a three-year letterwinner at Kempner High School. He participated with the 2006 USA Youth National Team that won the Pan Am Championships in Venezuela.
Across his prep campaign, he garnered District Newcomer of the Year, District 23-5A MVP and all-state honors, among others. After his senior season, Winkler was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 37th Round (Pick 1,118) of the 2008 MLB Draft, but chose to attend TCU.
PERSONAL
He graduated from TCU with a bachelor’s degree in 2019. He is married to Stephanie and has one daughter, Kole.
