There aren't a lot of baseball leadoff hitters and center fielders who fit the typical mold of a college football defensive end.
That's a stereotype Woodbury's Ryan Winter is hoping to break.
"I don't see many defensive linemen that play baseball," said Winter, an incoming University of St. Thomas recruit in both sports. "If they do, they're usually DH, not leadoff."
The 6-3, 240-pounder is not only a physical presence, but he's uncommonly fast, too.
"He's a huge kid," Woodbury baseball coach Kevin McDermott said. "A man amongst boys."
Winter's physical makeup has made offensive coordinators fear him and catchers keep a close eye on him.
"He's a special player — a rare combination of speed and power," McDermott said.
Oh, and by the way, he played hockey, too. While three-sport high school athletes are becoming less common, three-sport college athletes are virtually extinct. Winter admits that adding a third sport at the next level would be a bit much.
