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.
Ouch…necessary, but surprising nonetheless.
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.
Good choice. Needs to either find a new grippy sticky stuff or learn to pitch.
This guy and Darvish were the biggest offenders of the sticky stuff
Cole, Bauer, Buehler
Buehler has pitched much better without the sticky stuff and Bauer hasn’t pitched in months
That doesn’t mean his spin didn’t collapse it just means he adjusted
very doubtful. he continues to pitch better and better as of late.
Bauer is trying a different kind of spin at the moment. Let’s see what happens when/if he gets back on a mound
If Bauer pitches another inning in the MLB, it will be an absolute disgrace
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.
It was actually like 90% of the league. Naming individual players is pointless.
source?
rosin and sun tan lotion has been used for decades.
And ironically it was Bauer complaining about the spin rate be aided elsewhere that kickstarted the deeper dive into it.
Tbh I think Bauer only used it to make a point that it was THAT useful
Karinchak was the biggest abuser, not sure why Darvish is lumped in there.
Needed to be done. Hopefully he comes back and breaks out. The guy does have passion.
Dude was a Spider Tack junkie, probably been addicted to the sticky stuff since high school. He needs to go to rehab, not AAA.
angry much?
You obviously have a lot of difficulty detecting sarcasm, darkside
You alright. He learned it by watching you.
Oof he’s got less spin and probably no grip. hopefully he can rebound but it’s looking rough man…
When the sticky stuff was allowed the guy had a un hittable knuckle puck pitch
No sticky stuff ruined him
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.
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.
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…
Why not just give us the list instead of posting a link behind a paywall???
Aww. Needs to actually learn pitching now.
He needs a third pitch.
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.
Hmmm, obviously they weren’t.
He’s a late inning guy not a starter, he can excel without a quality third pitch.
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.
Karinchak will be fine after a tuneup with Gaylord Perry
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.
I believe his problems were more mental than anything and will rebound again.
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.
Cheater
Special K will get help from Gaylord Perry
He’s #99 and needs to pitch like ‘Wild Thing’ Vaughn. He’ll get his groove back.