• Full name James Stephen Karinchak
  • Born 09/22/1995 in Newburgh, NY
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Bryant
  • Debut 09/14/2019
  • Drafted in the 9th round (282nd overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2017 (signed for $138,300).
    View Draft Report
    Karinchak was the ace of Bryant's 47-12 club in 2016, going 12-3 with a 2.00 ERA while ranking 25th in the country with 112 strikeouts in 94.2 innings. The righthander came out of the chute showing first-round stuff, challenging Arkansas in his first start with a fastball that reached 96 mph, a changeup with tumbling split action and a hard, power curveball in the low 80s with downer action. His curve earned plus grades, and the three-pitch mix and Karinchak's confidence were moving him up boards before he lost momentum. He left a start in early March with an apparent arm injury and missed some time. His fastball command backed up as did his velocity; in some starts, he sat 90-92. He has a high, over-the-top arm slot that aids his curveball and a bit of a head whack in his delivery, and several scouts turned him in as a future reliever.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Draft Prospects

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Curveball in the Cleveland Guardians in 2020

Scouting Reports

Career Transactions

  • Cleveland Guardians optioned RHP James Karinchak to Columbus Clippers.
  • Cleveland Guardians optioned RHP James Karinchak to Columbus Clippers.

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