Kevin Ginkel Bio
Kevin Andrew Ginkel is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019 and has since developed into a trusted reliever, contributing in both regular-season and postseason situations. Standing out for his calm presence in high-leverage innings, Ginkel has become a recognizable name in the Arizona bullpen.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Andrew Ginkel was born on March 24, 1994, in Lakeside, California, United States. He grew up in the Lakeside community of San Diego County and attended El Capitan High School, where he played baseball before continuing his career at the next level. The Southern California setting provided him with year-round access to competitive baseball, which helped shape his development as a pitcher.
After high school, Ginkel attended Southwestern College, a community college in Chula Vista, California, where he continued his college baseball career. He later transferred to the University of Arizona, a program with a long history of producing Major League talent. Between his stints in school, he also played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2015, gaining valuable experience against top amateur competition.
Path to Baseball
Ginkel’s path to professional baseball was not immediate. He was first selected in the 16th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft by the San Francisco Giants, but he did not sign and returned to school. The following year, the Boston Red Sox drafted him in the 26th round of the 2015 MLB draft, and again he chose to return to college rather than begin his professional career. These decisions reflected his commitment to continuing his development as a pitcher.
His persistence paid off when the Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the 22nd round of the 2016 MLB draft, and this time he signed with the organization. The choice to join Arizona launched his professional career and set the stage for his eventual rise to the Major Leagues.
Kevin Ginkel Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Kevin Andrew Ginkel made his professional debut with the Hillsboro Hops, where he went 1–0 with a 2.61 earned run average (ERA) across 18 relief appearances. The following year, he split time between Hillsboro and the Kane County Cougars, posting a combined 1–2 record and a 5.36 ERA in more than 40 relief innings. In 2018, he advanced to the Visalia Rawhide and the Jackson Generals, where he flourished with a 6–1 record and a 1.41 ERA in 54 relief appearances. After the 2018 season, he was sent to the Arizona Fall League to continue his growth against advanced competition.
During the 2019 minor league season, Ginkel moved between the Arizona League Diamondbacks, Jackson, and the Reno Aces, recording a combined 2–2 record with a 1.78 ERA over 34 innings. His strong performance across multiple levels earned him a promotion to the Major Leagues later that summer.
Major League Debut (2019–2020)
On August 5, 2019, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Kevin Ginkel’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues. That same night, he made his debut against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching two-thirds of an inning and striking out J. T. Realmuto. He closed out his first Major League season with a 3–0 record and a 1.48 ERA in 24 and one-third innings, an impressive beginning to his big-league career. The 2020 season was more challenging, as he recorded a 6.75 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 13 walks over 16 innings in a shortened campaign.
Arizona Diamondbacks Breakthrough (2021–2023)
In 2021, Ginkel made 32 appearances for Arizona but struggled to a 6.35 ERA in just over 28 innings. He was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Reno following the season on November 19, 2021. The Diamondbacks selected his contract again on August 1, 2022, and he appeared in 30 games that year, posting a 3.38 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 29 and one-third innings. The 2023 season marked a turning point, as he achieved a 9–1 record with four saves, a 2.48 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts over 60 games, setting career highs in multiple categories.
That year, Ginkel became the first Diamondbacks pitcher to go 9–0 in a single season, surpassing Micah Owings’ 8–0 mark from 2011. He was effective both at home and on the road, and opponents batted just .162 against his slider. In the postseason, he served as the setup man and did not allow a run in 10 games, setting a franchise record with 10 consecutive scoreless outings to begin his postseason career. He earned his first postseason win in Game 4 of the 2023 National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Philadelphia Phillies. In Game 7, he entered in the seventh inning to retire Trea Turner and Bryce Harper with the tying runs on base, then struck out the side in the eighth to help the Diamondbacks win their first pennant in 22 years.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2024–Present)
Kevin Ginkel pitched in 72 games for the Diamondbacks during the 2024 season, compiling an 8–3 record and a 3.21 ERA with 77 strikeouts and five saves over 70 innings of work. His consistency made him a key piece of the Arizona bullpen heading into the next season. In 2025, however, he made 29 appearances and struggled to a 1–4 record and a 7.36 ERA with 29 strikeouts and three saves across 25 and two-thirds innings. On August 3, 2025, he was placed on the injured list due to a right shoulder sprain, and he was transferred to the 60-day injured list three days later, ending his season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kevin Andrew Ginkel is known for his composure on the mound and his effectiveness in high-leverage relief situations. His slider has been a defining pitch, holding opponents to a .162 batting average in 2023, and he has demonstrated the ability to retire hitters from both sides of the plate. Whether working as a setup man or a closer, Ginkel has shown the mental toughness and pitch variety required to thrive in late-inning roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Kevin Ginkel’s career came in Game 7 of the 2023 NLCS, when he helped the Diamondbacks clinch their first pennant in 22 years. He also set a franchise record with 10 consecutive scoreless postseason appearances to begin his postseason career. In 2023, he became the first Diamondbacks pitcher to go 9–0 in a single season, a milestone that cemented his place in the team’s recent history.
Kevin Ginkel Career Wins
Kevin Andrew Ginkel has built a strong résumé as a reliever for the Arizona Diamondbacks, highlighted by a 3–0 debut season in 2019 and a career-best 9–1 record in 2023. His ability to perform in high-pressure situations has made him a dependable option out of the bullpen for Arizona.
Major League Highlights
Across his Major League career, Ginkel has been a consistent contributor, including an 8–3 record in 2024 and a 9–1 record in 2023. His first Major League win came during his debut season in 2019, and his most recent full productive season came in 2024 before his 2025 injury setback. He has also delivered in the postseason, earning his first postseason win in the 2023 NLCS and helping Arizona reach the World Series that year.
Other Performances
Beyond the Major Leagues, Kevin Ginkel posted a 6–1 record with a 1.41 ERA in 54 relief appearances in 2018 across the Visalia Rawhide and Jackson Generals, signaling his readiness for higher competition. His strong showing in the Arizona Fall League later that year further reinforced his development as a future Major League reliever.
Kevin Ginkel Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Kevin Andrew Ginkel was born and raised in Lakeside, California. Public information about his family background is limited, and he has generally kept his personal life out of the spotlight as he has built his professional baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
Kevin Ginkel’s 2025 season proved difficult, as he made 29 appearances for the Diamondbacks and posted a 1–4 record with a 7.36 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and three saves across 25 and two-thirds innings. His performance fell short of the high standard he set in 2023 and 2024. On August 3, 2025, he was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder sprain, and three days later he was transferred to the 60-day injured list, officially ending his season.
Despite the challenging campaign, Ginkel remains a key part of Arizona’s bullpen plans going forward. His previous success, including his franchise-record scoreless postseason streak and his 9–0 start in 2023, suggests he has the talent to bounce back. The Diamondbacks will likely count on his experience and resilience as they shape their relief corps for the seasons ahead.
