The Arizona Diamondbacks have successfully reached a resolution with reliever Kevin Ginkel, opting for a one-year contract valued at $1.225 million, as reported by Ari Alexander.
Kevin Ginkel, an alum of the University of Arizona, entered the professional baseball scene when he was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 22nd round of the 2016 draft. He went on to make his major league debut in 2019.
After finishing up his rookie season with a 3-0 record to go with a 1.48 ERA, Ginkel had a couple of struggling seasons. As a result, Kevin rotated back and forth between the minors and majors.
However, last season, Ginkel allowed just 18 earned runs through 65 innings, making him one of the best relievers in the league. Up until his second-to-last appearance of the year, Ginkel had a 9-0 record.
Then, in the postseason, the 29-year-old really took off. He allowed zero earned runs through 11.2 innings while also striking out 15 batters.
Most impactful, in Game 7 of the NLCS, with a trip to the World Series on the line, Ginkel inherited runners on 1st and 2nd in the bottom of the 7th, only to force flyouts from Trea Turner and Bryce Harper.
He then followed this up by striking out the side in the 8th, bringing the Diamondbacks within three outs of a trip to the World Series.
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