Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Kevin Ginkel demonstrated his trademark ability to escape tight spots during the opening moments of spring training. Despite surrendering consecutive hits to start an inning, Ginkel quickly regained control by striking out the next two batters, reaffirming the skill set that has defined his career. This strong showing was further enhanced by his introduction of a new pitch—the splitter—marking a significant development in his approach on the mound.
Introducing the Splitter to Complement a Two-Pitch Arsenal
Historically, Ginkel has relied on a combination of a four-seam fastball and a slider to outperform hitters. In his first outing, the slider accounted for four strikeouts, illustrating its continued effectiveness. However, Ginkel is expanding his repertoire with the addition of a splitter, aiming to diversify his offspeed options.
“Just giving them another offspeed pitch to kind of debate what could be coming, instead of the slider every time,”
he explained. While Statcast mistakenly recorded his single splitter as a slider, Ginkel expressed satisfaction with the pitch’s movement and shape.
Challenges from Last Season Highlight Need for Adaptation
The upcoming 2026 season carries great significance for Ginkel, who struggled in 2025 with a high 7.36 ERA and was hindered by two shoulder injuries. Despite these setbacks, underlying metrics told a more optimistic story: his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) stood at a respectable 3.64, and he maintained the lowest inherited runners scored percentage on the team at 14%. His strikeout rate remained strong at 10.17 per nine innings, though an increase in walks—13 in 25.2 innings compared to 15 in 70 innings the prior year—raised concerns about his control.
Health and Command Will Determine His Role Going Forward
As spring camp unfolds, Ginkel remains a key candidate for the Diamondbacks’ vacant closer position, bringing valuable experience as one of three pitchers in camp with significant late-inning leverage. Reflecting on his previous year, he shared,
“I remember having conversations with our pitching staff and I was like, I feel like I’m pitching way better than what my numbers say,”
as reported by Jack Sommers of Diamondbacks On SI. If Ginkel can maintain his health and refine his command—particularly with the aid of the new splitter—he is widely viewed as a strong bounce-back prospect for the D-backs in 2026.
