Winkelsas started his college career in 1992 at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, a small NJCAA school in Allendale, South Carolina. While at USC Salkehatchie, he led the NJCAA Division II in ERA his sophomore season. After completing two years at USC Salkehatchie, he then went on to Elon University.\n', '

Winkelsas signed with the Atlanta Braves as an amateur free agent in 1996. He began his professional career that season with the minor league Danville Braves, and over the next three years he worked his way through the Braves\' farm system. He made his major league debut on April 10, 1999 with the Braves, pitching one-third of an inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks and allowing four hits, a walk, and two runs. He then was sent to the minors, and continued to pitch in the Braves\' farm system until July 2003, when he was released.\n', '

During this period, Winkelsas has admitted to being sidetracked in his career by marijuana usage, quitting after going through rehabilitation in 2000.\n', '

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