| Kevin Ginkel | |
|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 37 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1994-03-24)March 24, 1994 (age 31) San Diego, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 5, 2019, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 22–12 |
| Earned run average | 3.86 |
| Strikeouts | 283 |
| Saves | 16 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Kevin Andrew Ginkel (born March 24, 1994) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theArizona Diamondbacks ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019.
Ginkel attendedEl Capitan High School inLakeside, California and playedcollege baseball atSouthwestern College and theUniversity of Arizona.[1] He was drafted by theSan Francisco Giants in the 16th round of the2014 Major League Baseball draft and theBoston Red Sox in the 26th round of the2015 MLB draft, but did not sign either time and returned to school.[2] In 2015, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theCotuit Kettleers of theCape Cod Baseball League.[3]
Ginkel signed with theArizona Diamondbacks after being drafted by them in the 22nd round of the2016 MLB draft.[4]
Ginkel made his professional debut with theHillsboro Hops where he went 1–0 with a 2.61 ERA in 18 relief appearances. He played 2017 with Hillsboro and theKane County Cougars, pitching to a combined 1–2 record and a 5.36 ERA in40+1⁄3 relief innings, and 2018 with theVisalia Rawhide andJackson Generals, going 6–1 with a 1.41 ERA in 54 appearances in relief.[5] After the 2018 season, he played in theArizona Fall League.[6] He split the 2019 minor league season between theArizona League Diamondbacks, Jackson, and theReno Aces, and went a combined 2–2 with a 1.78 ERA over 34 innings.[7]
On August 5, 2019, the Diamondbacks selected Ginkel's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[8] He made his debut that night versus thePhiladelphia Phillies, pitching2⁄3 of an inning and striking out one batter (J. T. Realmuto).[9] Ginkel finished the 2019 season going 3–0 with a 1.48 ERA in24+1⁄3 innings.[10] In 2020, Ginkel recorded a 6.75 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 13 walks over 16 innings.[11] Ginkel made 32 appearances for Arizona the following season, but struggled to a 6.35 ERA in28+1⁄3 innings. He was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Reno following the season on November 19, 2021.[12] Ginkel had his contract selected by the team on August 1, 2022. In 2022, he appeared in 30 games in his fourth season with the D-backs, posting a 3.38 ERA (11 earned runs across29+1⁄3 innings) and 30 strikeouts.[13]
In 2023, Ginkel achieved a 9–1 record with four saves, a 2.48 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts over 60 games.[13] He set career highs in multiple categories, including wins and strikeouts, and became the first Diamondbacks pitcher to go 9–0 in a season, surpassingMicah Owings' 8–0 record from 2011.[13] Ginkel excelled both at home and on the road, and was particularly effective against both righties and lefties, with opponents batting just .162 against his slider.[13] In the postseason, Ginkel served as thesetup man and did not allow a run in 10 games, setting a franchise record with 10 consecutive scoreless outings to begin his postseason career, and earned his first postseason win in Game 4 of the2023 NLCS against thePhiladelphia Phillies.[14] In Game 7, Ginkel came in the seventh inning to retireTrea Turner andBryce Harper with the tying runs on base, then struck out the side in the eighth to help the Diamondbacks win their first pennant in 22 years.[15]
Ginkel pitched in 72 games for the Diamondbacks during the 2024 season, compiling an 8-3 record and 3.21 ERA with 77 strikeouts and five saves over 70 innings of work.[16]
Ginkel made 29 appearances for the Diamondbacks during the 2025 campaign, but struggled to a 1-4 record and 7.36 ERA with 29 strikeouts and three saves across25+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 3, 2025, Ginkel was placed on the injured list due to a right shoulder sprain; he was transferred to the 60-day injured list three days later, ending his season.[17]