Gator Country

The Cincinnati Reds drafted pitcher Jesse Winker, a Florida Gators signee, with the 49th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft. The Tampa (Fla.) Olympia standout was a key member of a team once ranked No. 1 in the country that finished runner-up in the state championship.

With Winkler's name coming off the board, two Florida players and three Gators signees have been drafted on Day 1 of the 2012 MLB Draft. Mike Zunino went No. 3 overall to the Seattle Mariners while Brian Johnson was the No. 31 pick by the Boston Red Sox. As for UF signees, Lewis Brinson was the No. 29 overall pick by the Texas Rangers and Lance McCullers was the No. 41 pick by the Houston Astros.

Winker helped Team USA win a gold medal in the Junior Pan Am games last fall.

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