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Indians Option James Karinchak To Triple-A

By TC Zencka | August 28, 2021 at 12:22pm CDT

The Indians have optioned reliever James Karinchak to Triple-A, per The Athletic’s Zack Meisel (via Twitter). Bobby Bradley will be activated from the injured list to take Karinchak’s roster spot.

Karinchak was a popular breakout candidate this season because of his gaudy strikeout numbers, and for awhile, Karinchak made good on that promise. But it’s been a different story in the second half. After recording an absurd 42.5 percent strikeout rate in the first half, that number has fallen to 12.5 percent in the second half. His FIP has tumbled from 3.12 to 7.64.

Karinchak’s spin rates have plummeted all season long on both his fastball and his curve. His In Zone Swing & Miss Percentages have fallen as well, from 26% on his four-seamer in June to just 9% on that same pitch in August.

As for Bradley, the powerful first baseman slashed .213/.316/.480 over 174 plate appearances, his first real crack at regular playing time in the bigs. He’s been out since August 7 with a knee sprain.

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Cleveland Guardians Transactions Bobby Bradley James Karinchak

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View Comments (42)
Post a Comment

42 Comments

  1. Polish Hammer

    4 years ago

    Ouch…necessary, but surprising nonetheless.

    2
    Reply
    • Francys01

      4 years ago

      Good decision. He has been pitching super bad this season and last night cost Cleveland the game when he allowed the home run. By the way, Cleveland is playing much better as of late.

      4
      Reply
  2. tstats

    4 years ago

    Good choice. Needs to either find a new grippy sticky stuff or learn to pitch.

    11
    Reply
  3. fred-3

    4 years ago

    This guy and Darvish were the biggest offenders of the sticky stuff

    1
    Reply
    • tstats

      4 years ago

      Cole, Bauer, Buehler

      3
      Reply
      • fred-3

        4 years ago

        Buehler has pitched much better without the sticky stuff and Bauer hasn’t pitched in months

        5
        Reply
        • tstats

          4 years ago

          That doesn’t mean his spin didn’t collapse it just means he adjusted

          2
          Reply
        • DarkSide830

          4 years ago

          very doubtful. he continues to pitch better and better as of late.

          Reply
      • bestno5

        4 years ago

        Bauer is trying a different kind of spin at the moment. Let’s see what happens when/if he gets back on a mound

        1
        Reply
        • CluHaywood

          4 years ago

          If Bauer pitches another inning in the MLB, it will be an absolute disgrace

          1
          Reply
        • dpsmith22

          4 years ago

          that’s comical. Guy gets accused of something, has proof it wasn’t true and you want him gone. I would love to hear what you think of Deshaun Watson with 22 complaints.

          2
          Reply
      • axisofhonor25

        4 years ago

        It was actually like 90% of the league. Naming individual players is pointless.

        5
        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          4 years ago

          source?

          Reply
        • dpsmith22

          4 years ago

          rosin and sun tan lotion has been used for decades.

          Reply
      • Polish Hammer

        4 years ago

        And ironically it was Bauer complaining about the spin rate be aided elsewhere that kickstarted the deeper dive into it.

        Reply
        • tstats

          4 years ago

          Tbh I think Bauer only used it to make a point that it was THAT useful

          Reply
    • 16

      4 years ago

      Karinchak was the biggest abuser, not sure why Darvish is lumped in there.

      Reply
  4. dkcsmc1991

    4 years ago

    Needed to be done. Hopefully he comes back and breaks out. The guy does have passion.

    1
    Reply
  5. Lloyd Emerson

    4 years ago

    Dude was a Spider Tack junkie, probably been addicted to the sticky stuff since high school. He needs to go to rehab, not AAA.

    3
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      4 years ago

      angry much?

      7
      Reply
      • Lloyd Emerson

        4 years ago

        You obviously have a lot of difficulty detecting sarcasm, darkside

        1
        Reply
    • hiflew

      4 years ago

      You alright. He learned it by watching you.

      2
      Reply
  6. Jerem

    4 years ago

    Oof he’s got less spin and probably no grip. hopefully he can rebound but it’s looking rough man…

    1
    Reply
  7. Noel1982

    4 years ago

    When the sticky stuff was allowed the guy had a un hittable knuckle puck pitch

    1
    Reply
  8. driftcat28 2

    4 years ago

    No sticky stuff ruined him

    Reply
  9. LordD99

    4 years ago

    Not an Indians fan, so I haven’t seen him pitch regularly, but I do know the sticky stuff inspections started June 21. From June 21 through July 28, Karinchak pitched in 13 games to a 2.63 ERA, holding opponents to a .181 BA and a .375 SLG, still K’ing a batter per inning, so his real problems seems to have started over the last month, or five weeks past the sticky stuff ban. His spin rates were down from the start, but not enough where he wasn’t effective. Just less so. That means there could be something else going on here.

    10
    Reply
    • Monkey’s Uncle

      4 years ago

      It’s true that sometimes hitters just adjust to pitchers and vice versa. Maybe teams were noticing some trends and adjusting their approaches to Karinchak. It happens, and sometimes guys can’t adjust immediately, so a trip to the minors to do that can work wonders.

      2
      Reply
  10. basquiat

    4 years ago

    NYT analyzed drops in spin rates when pitchers were checked for sticky stuff. Trevor Bauer was #2 and this guy was #4.

    nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/19/upshot/major-le…

    Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      4 years ago

      Why not just give us the list instead of posting a link behind a paywall???

      5
      Reply
  11. zappaforprez

    4 years ago

    Aww. Needs to actually learn pitching now.

    Reply
  12. sufferforsnakes

    4 years ago

    He needs a third pitch.

    Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      4 years ago

      His fastball and wicked curve were plenty. Then due to no sticky stuff or whatever his results just collapsed. The vertical break on his curve makes me suspect he was using sticky stuff.

      Reply
      • sufferforsnakes

        4 years ago

        Hmmm, obviously they weren’t.

        Reply
    • Polish Hammer

      4 years ago

      He’s a late inning guy not a starter, he can excel without a quality third pitch.

      Reply
      • sufferforsnakes

        4 years ago

        But a third would definitely help, since it’s been obvious for awhile that hitters are sitting on one or the other, usually whichever one he’s actually throwing for strikes that day.

        1
        Reply
  13. User 3044878754

    4 years ago

    Karinchak will be fine after a tuneup with Gaylord Perry

    1
    Reply
  14. mlbgeek

    4 years ago

    I watched this guy extensively as I am a Clevelander. There’s no doubt he was an offender but I also saw an adjustment team’s took with him. Guys like Vinnie Pestano slid by much longer til teams figured out how to adjust. This kid came in amped up and once this substance investigating happened he lost complete confidence in his own ability. Someone else mentioned a 3rd pitch which is not a bad idea too.

    2
    Reply
  15. Polish Hammer

    4 years ago

    I believe his problems were more mental than anything and will rebound again.

    1
    Reply
  16. PutPeteinthehall

    4 years ago

    He was sent down due to poor numbers. Listed as the fourth largest drop off in spin rate after the ban. It would appear the two are connected. He was also had little control. 100 mph beaning of White Sox first baseman. I agree he needs a third pitch and also a major makeover.

    Reply
  17. jdgoat

    4 years ago

    Cheater

    Reply
    • User 3044878754

      4 years ago

      Special K will get help from Gaylord Perry

      Reply
  18. TribeAllTheTime

    4 years ago

    He’s #99 and needs to pitch like ‘Wild Thing’ Vaughn. He’ll get his groove back.

    Reply

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