Cleveland Guardians Pitcher With 3.10 Career ERA Elects Free Agency

November 05, 2024

Once regarded as one of baseball's most promising young relievers, James Karinchak has decided to test free agency after being outrighted from the Cleveland Guardians’ 40-man roster. 

Bursting onto the scene in 2020, Karinchak made an immediate impact with a 2.67 ERA and a staggering 48.6% strikeout rate over 27 innings, finishing sixth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. 

However, his electric fastball and wipeout curveball were tempered by persistent control issues, with a high 14.7% walk rate in his debut season foreshadowing future challenges. 

This inconsistency, combined with the league's 2021 crackdown on sticky substances, revealed a more volatile side to Karinchak’s game that hindered his ability to secure high-leverage roles.

Injuries further complicated Karinchak’s path. 

A teres major strain sidelined him for much of 2022, and a spring training shoulder injury in 2024 limited him to just a handful of minor league rehab outings. 

Despite Cleveland’s initial efforts to reintegrate him into the bullpen, Karinchak ultimately found himself on the fringes, and the Guardians chose to remove him from their roster ahead of arbitration, where he was projected to earn $1.9 million. 

Rather than accept an outright assignment, Karinchak opted for a fresh start in free agency. “I’m excited for a new chapter,” he said, expressing hope that a change of scenery could help him rediscover his dominant form.

Though his control remains a question, Karinchak's career 36.3% strikeout rate and remaining minor league option make him an intriguing option for teams seeking bullpen depth. 

With club control through 2026, organizations could invest in his potential, hoping that the right environment might unlock the consistency that once made him a rising star.

Photo Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images



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