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Ken Giles To Hold Showcase For Interested Clubs

By Darragh McDonald | May 11, 2023 at 1:01pm CDT

Free agent right-hander Ken Giles is planning to throw live bullpen sessions for interested clubs on Friday, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Giles previously held a showcase for clubs in February and then threw in front of Padres officials at that club’s Arizona complex shortly thereafter, but a deal didn’t come together and he remains unsigned. Heyman notes that Giles has spent the past five weeks working out with Driveline, the data-driven biomechanics company, at their Arizona facility.

The 32-year-old Giles has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball at times in his career but has been dealing with some challenges recently. From 2014 to 2019, he pitched for the Phillies, Astros and Blue Jays, posting a 2.67 ERA in that time while racking up 114 saves. He struck out 33.3% of batters faced while issuing walks at just a 7.5% clip.

He was only able to make four appearances in 2020, ultimately requiring Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2021 season. He signed a two-year deal with the Mariners that covered 2021 and 2022, with the club knowing the first year of that deal would be dedicated primarily to rehabbing the surgery. He made five scoreless appearances for the M’s last year but walked 22.2% of the batters he faced. His 94.8 mph fastball velocity was a few ticks below the 97-99 mph range he managed in previous seasons. He was designated for assignment in August, elected free agency and signed a minor league deal with the Giants but was released about a week later.

Despite that rough stretch, a healthy Giles should garner interest, especially if the work with Driveline did anything to get him closer to his previous form. When he was last able to pitch for an extended stretch in 2019, he posted a 1.87 ERA for the Jays while striking out 39.9% of opponents against an 8.2% walk rate. With various clubs throughout the league dealing with pitching injuries and the trade deadline still a few months away, taking a flier on Giles might be intriguing for clubs that could use a boost in the bullpen.

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Uncategorized Ken Giles

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View Comments (33)
Post a Comment

33 Comments

  1. LFGSD619

    2 years ago

    He could give a contender’s bullpen some much needed punch.

    3
    Reply
    • Lets Go DBacks

      2 years ago

      If the punch reaches at least 97mph

      Reply
    • bronxmac77

      2 years ago

      Or at least a slap.

      Reply
  2. In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

    2 years ago

    Chris Young should be there.

    3
    Reply
    • No Soup For Yu!

      2 years ago

      Couldn’t agree more. Healthy Giles would mean they can stop trotting out the likes of Yerry Rodriguez and/or Ian Kennedy.

      2
      Reply
      • In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

        2 years ago

        No more Kennedy, but replace his name with John King’s

        1
        Reply
  3. CravenMoorehead

    2 years ago

    Just here for the punch related comments. 🙂

    3
    Reply
  4. #8

    2 years ago

    Ken Giles has around 75 million reasons to have the showcase.

    4
    Reply
    • DCartrow

      2 years ago

      It’s data-driven, Ace. Don’t forget that.

      1
      Reply
      • GaryWarriorsRedSox

        2 years ago

        He’s all about the data. See the #8?

        Reply
        • bronxmac77

          2 years ago

          Why is 6 afraid of 7?
          Because 7 8 9.

          Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    2 years ago

    Kenny, welcome back to Lehigh!

    Reply
  6. solaris602

    2 years ago

    Didn’t Zach Britton hold 3 showcases in the off-season and still remains unsigned? This might be Giles’ last shot.

    1
    Reply
  7. acoss13

    2 years ago

    Every team should be taking a gander, you can never have enough bullpen arms, especially with how erratic bullpen arms be year to year.

    3
    Reply
  8. Ignorant Son-of-a-b

    2 years ago

    Headcase Whack-job. Don’t trust pitchers who punch themselves in the face (or start punching the mound) when things don’t go as planned.

    Reply
    • kiki57

      2 years ago

      You guys won’t let a one time thing go will you? When did he ever do anything like that ever again? When did he ever do that prior? The punching jokes are old and tired but expected from a bunch of couch potato’s who don’t even play the game.

      3
      Reply
      • bronxmac77

        2 years ago

        SMACK! “Stop that, Ken!”
        SMACK! “Ken, stop that!”
        SMACK! “Stop that, Ken!”
        SMACK! “Ken, stop that!”

        Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      2 years ago

      Spotted Giles’ wife’s burner account. Or possibly his mother’s. I understand the sentiment, I would do the same if he was my husband or son. Er, ,I mean wife. Nevermind

      1
      Reply
  9. prov356

    2 years ago

    Hmmm. Maybe Angels for a minor league deal and see how he does.

    Reply
  10. Monkey’s Uncle

    2 years ago

    More showcases than the average Price is Right episode.

    5
    Reply
  11. Old York

    2 years ago

    Guy’s gonna destroy MLB and NPB (World Champions) hitting. I could see him raking up 200 saves this year, even if he doesn’t play in anymore than 162 games.

    1
    Reply
  12. AllAboutBaseball

    2 years ago

    Padres should be all over him. With Odor and Giles on the team they would have the greatest 1-2 Punch in baseball.

    5
    Reply
  13. tedtheodorelogan

    2 years ago

    Yo Farhan, your entire bullpen is straight trash other than Doval and Tyler Rodgers. Maybe take a look.

    4
    Reply
    • solaris602

      2 years ago

      If he looks like crap in the showcase, they’ll take him.

      Reply
  14. Vince Ferragamo's Dog

    2 years ago

    It’s showcase slash bbq@ agents house, only way to get teams 2commit, warmup starts @2pm promptly, byob

    Reply
  15. Sliderwitcheese

    2 years ago

    I will be holding my own showcase for various media blogs and websites in the coming days.

    2
    Reply
  16. BartoloHRball

    2 years ago

    The Mets need more arms since none of their pitchers can stay healthy. I wonder what kind of contract he is seeking?

    Reply
  17. Rezonator

    2 years ago

    Twins should take a chance on him.

    Reply
  18. Braves Butt-Head

    2 years ago

    Braves could use him

    1
    Reply
    • DCartrow

      2 years ago

      Agree. Kirby Yates is reclaiming his old self nicely. We’ll have another.

      Reply
  19. bronxmac77

    2 years ago

    Anyone know if they serve snacks at these showcase? Adult beverages?

    1
    Reply
    • solaris602

      2 years ago

      Giles should make sure they’re serving surf and turf with Kenny G providing the entertainment during the entire event.

      Reply
  20. Baseballgeek

    2 years ago

    I think a team should take the risk in signing him. A lot of pitchers out there that are not doing well. And a lot of teams that can definitely use some help. Might as well give this guy a chance at a low cost and experienced.

    Reply

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