Southeast Missouri State pitcher Alex Winkelman selected by Astros in 21st round of MLB draft

Southeast Missouri State junior pitcher Alex Winkelman was able to cross a pair of childhood dreams off his list in less than 24 hours.

Getting the start on the mound for the Cotuit Kettleers of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League on Tuesday night was a pretty big accomplishment for the Crystal City, Missouri, native as was being drafted the following afternoon by the Houston Astros in the 21st round of the MLB draft.

"Starting last night in the Cape league for the Cotuit Kettleers that's something you always want to do when you're growing up and you hear about the Cape Cod league," Winkelman said. "It's something you can check off your list a little bit. It was really fun. We've got a great team up here so I was glad to be able to do that. Then just the last few days has felt like it's gone by in slow motion and then now it feels like it's going a hundred miles an hour. It's been a crazy, crazy few days."

Winkelman said it was "a weight off my shoulders" when he heard his name as the 619th overall pick of the 2015 draft. He'd spent the previous two days following along with the draft while keeping in contact with his family, which consisted of him keeping them updated on anything he'd heard about his draft possibilities and them reminding him to stay positive.

Once he was selected by the Astros, he texted his parents and sister before calling his draft adviser.

"He was the first person I had to call because it wouldn't have happened without him," Winkelman said.

He then called his mom, Kelly, his dad, John, and his sister, Alyssa, -- "it was an emotional conversation with each of them" -- before calling Southeast baseball coach Steve Bieser to thank him.

"I'm just really, really pleased for Alex because I know that this has been a lifelong dream of his and he gets a chance to fulfill that dream and it's well deserved," Bieser said. "He's worked extremely hard in our program and has continued to develop each year and done everything that we've asked him to do. From going out in the summers and continuing to develop ... I mean, all those things that he's done in our program, he's done it the right way and he got rewarded for it."

Winkelman was one of the first players that Bieser, who just completed his third year as the Redhawks' head coach, recruited to Southeast.

"I thought that he was going to continue to get better and develop each year and I still believe that his best baseball's ahead of him," Bieser said. "I still see a lot of potential for development in him and I think we'll see that in years to come in professional ball. He was a young man that had an option between Mizzou and Southeast and he was one of the guys that I recruited very hard and wanted him to come into our program, and I'm glad he chose us. I think he feels the same way. He feels like it was the right choice and we gave him an excellent opportunity to develop here in our program."

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound lefty was a staple in the starting rotation during Southeast's Ohio Valley Conference championship seasons the past two years.

During his three-year career he made 50 appearances and 35 starts, posting a 14-9 record with two saves. He had a 4.51 ERA and recorded 204 strikeouts at Southeast.

He was 4-3 this season with a 4.32 ERA and held opponents to a .248 average in 98 innings of work. He recorded 92 strikeouts, which was second in the OVC only to teammate Joey Lucchesi.

"I'd just love to thank my teammates and my coaches and everyone at SEMO," Winkelman said. "Being on a great team helps everyone individually. I love the guys I played with and played for, and it was an awesome experience really. I was really excited to be apart of that team for three years."

The Astros had not frequently contacted Winkelman prior to the draft.

"I'd heard from them a little bit at some point, midseason maybe, and I just talked to a scout via email and then hadn't heard from them much today, had heard from quite a few teams, and then the Astros called and within five minutes from hearing from them it happened so it was a pretty quick process," Winkelman said. "You never really know what to expect, but I'm glad to be with them."

Winkelman, the 26th draft pick out of Southeast, said that the next step for him will be to travel to Florida to throw in front of members of the Astros organization before being assigned to a team.

"I think it's going to get pretty hectic in the next few days and weeks," Winkelman said. "... Just looking forward to the baseball part of it."

Winkelman was one of seven OVC players drafted and the only pitcher selected from the conference.

Belmont catcher Matt Beaty was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 12th round (372nd pick) while Belmont center fielder Drew Ferguson was drafted in the 19th round (559) by the Astros. Tennessee Tech shortstop Dylan Bosheers and Eastern Kentucky outfielder Kyle Nowling were drafted by the Philadelphia Philles in the 15th round (444) and 30th round (894), respectively. Morehead State first baseman Kane Sweeney and right fielder Brandon Rawe were selected by the New York Yankees (29th round, 873) and Miami Marlins (34th round, 1016), respectively.

Bieser was surprised that no other Redhawks were drafted, especially OVC pitcher of the year and Southeast junior left-handed pitcher Joey Lucchesi.

"I really thought Joey Lucchesi had an excellent chance to be drafted and for whatever reason they decided not to take him," Bieser said. "They probably want to see him come back and duplicate what he did this past year. It was his first year of Division I baseball and they probably just want to see a little bit more, but I think Joey was a guy that was ready to go and pitched outstanding for us. Not getting taken was actually a blessing for us and we're going to have a legitimate Friday night starter next season."

Lucchesi, who transferred to Southeast after two seasons at Chabot College in California, was 7-2 in his first season with the Redhawks. He led the conference with 93 strikeouts and a 3.17 ERA, and held opponents to a league-best .192 average.

Bieser said the reason Lucchesi was passed over could have stemmed from conversations with his adviser discussing the value he put on his education and the value on playing professionally.

"They're always asking you what dollar figure you're willing to sign for and I think he valued his education and he gave him a figure that he thought was fair," Bieser said. "I do know he got some calls later in the draft and they were interested in seeing if he would sign for a pretty low offer and he was honest with them and told them that that offer was a little short and he probably wasn't interested in that offer, and based on what he told me I think it was the right decision on his part. I think he could end up being a top 15 round draft pick by coming back and duplicating what he did this past season."

Bieser said he had a lengthy conversation with Lucchesi on Wednesday afternoon with his message to his now-returning ace being to "prove them wrong, that they should've taken you this past year."

"Things are going to work out fine for Joey in the long run, but it's our senior guys -- the Travis Hayes, the Ryan Lenaburgs, the Jason Blums and the Andy Lenningtons and the Dalton Hewitts, the list just goes on and on," Bieser said. "Those are quality ballplayers and it's frustrating that they don't get an opportunity. But we're going to pursue, whether it's independent baseball or trying the free agent market, just trying to get some of those guys an opportunity to play because it's their dream and I believe that they're capable of playing."

Boggetto honored

Southeast Missouri State junior shortstop Branden Boggetto was selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings South all-region second team, it was announced Wednesday.

"When you take a close look at the quality of shortstops in our region, you realize how big of an honor this is," Bieser said in a press release. "Branden is one of the most dedicated and hardest working guys I have coached to date. His hard work has truly rewarded him and is well deserved."

Boggetto, who was a second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference selection, was the Redhawks' starting shortstop in all 59 games this season.

He hit .318, leading the team with 77 hits, 23 doubles, 13 home runs and 61 RBIs. His 23 multiple-hit games were the most of any Redhawk and his 19 multiple-RBI games tied for the team lead.

He had a .583 slugging percentage, a .396 on base percentage and ended his junior campaign with a streak of 24 consecutive games reaching base.