Two Former St. Cloud Rox Players Make MLB Debuts

Two former members of the St. Cloud Rox organization have graduated to Major League Baseball. Both Drew Avans and Jack Winlker made their MLB Debuts this week.

Avans, who played for the Rox during their 2017 Northwoods League championship season. Selected by the Dodgers in the 33rd round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Avans signed a minor league deal with the Athletics organization after the 2024 season.

Avans played collegiately Southeastern Louisiana University while also playing 54 games for the Rox in '17. With St. Cloud, the outfielder hit .267 with six doubles, three triples and 30 stolen bases.

His debut came against the Houston Astros on May 27th, entering the game as a defensive replacement, and went on to get a hit in his first MLB at-bat. Overall so far this season, Avans is 2-15 at the plate with the A's including a 1-4 game against the Twins on Monday night in Sacramento.

WINKLER DEBUTS WITH MARLINS  

Former Rox infielder Jack Winkler debuted with the Miami Marlins on Saturday, May 31st. Winkler played for the Rox in 2020 and 2021 via the University of San Francisco.

Winkler was a 10th round pick of the Athletics organization in 2021 after playing in 36 games for the Rox. He is 0-2 in his young career with two strikeouts.