Winfree Once Again Driving In Runs In Bunches

Back in 2005, David Winfree catapulted himself into top prospect status. After struggling the last two seasons, due to injury and a lack of production at the plate, Winfree is back on the radar, and is once again driving in runs in bunches.

During the 2005 season, outfield prospect David Winfree was named the Minnesota Twins Minor League Player of the Year. Playing for the Beloit Snappers, Winfree drove in 101 runs in 135 games, blasting 16 home runs, and batting .294. The young slugger was quickly catapulted into top prospect status, but after an injury-ridden 2006 season, and a sub-par 2007, Winfree knew the 2008 season would be a big one.

Now in his second season with the New Britain Rock Cats, Winfree has been a run-producing machine, as he is currently second in the Twins organization with 36 RBI. Trailing only Danny Valencia of the Fort Myers Miracle, Winfree is only 15 RBI off his 2007 total of 51, and has already blasted 10 home runs. Despite a .224 batting average, Winfree has once again become a feared batter in the Twins organization.

Winfree has been mostly playing right field for New Britain in 2008, though he was once considered the top third base prospect in the Twins organization. Driving in runs in bunches has been a constant for Winfree this season, as he has driven in more than two runs in seven of his first 44 games of the season. Winfree is batting .259 with runners on, and has really been clutch with the bases loaded. In that situation, Winfree is batting .667, with a grand slam and seven runs batted in.

One thing he needs to work on is cutting down on the strikeouts, as the slugger has whiffed 32 times against only 15 walks. If he can improve on his batting eye, Winfree should once again bat close to .300. Of his 35 hits on the season, 19 of them have gone for extra-bases, as he has nine doubles to go with his ten dingers.

This season, Winfree is on pace to drive in more than 100 runs for the second time in his career. He is a much better hitter than his .224 batting average shows, and has tremendous pop in his bat.