Photo by: Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks
Cats in the Pros: Kevin Ginkel Makes MLB Debut with Diamondbacks
08/06/2019 | Baseball
TUCSON, Ariz. — Former Arizona Wildcats pitcher Kevin Ginkel made his Major League debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Monday night.
Ginkel, who made a run to the College World Series finals during the 2016 season at Arizona, made his MLB debut just over three years after being selected by the Diamondbacks in the 22nd round of the 2016 draft. He is the first Jay Johnson coached player from Arizona to make it to the Major Leagues, and the 81st Wildcat in MLB history.
The hard-throwing right hander logged one season with the Cats in 2016, going 5-1 with a 2.80 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 64.1 innings of work. His most impressive work came during the 2016 postseason as Arizona advanced all the way to the College World Series finals — during that run Ginkel made six appearances with two starts and went 2-0 with one save and a 1.89 ERA.
Ginkel didn't have to wait long after his call-up to make his Major League debut; he was the second man out of the Diamondbacks bullpen in Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Upon his debut, Ginkel became the first Arizona pitcher to break into the Major Leagues since Preston Guilmet with the Cleveland Indians in July 2013. He is also just the fifth player from the 2016 College World Series to climb the ladder to MLB, following Pete Alonso (Florida/New York-NL), Shaun Anderson (Florida/San Francisco), Shane Bieber (UCSB/Cleveland), and Zack Collins (Miami/Chicago-AL).
In his debut, Ginkel struck out the first batter he faced and ultimately worked 0.2 innings as the D-backs dropped a 7-3 decision to the Phillies.
Ginkel is now one of five former Wildcat players currently in the Major Leagues, along with Brandon Dixon (Detroit), Scott Kingery (Philadelphia), Kevin Newman (Pittsburgh), and Mark Melancon (Atlanta), all of whom have put together strong seasons.
Kingery and the Phillies are currently on the road facing the Diamondbacks, and squared off against Ginkel in his MLB debut on Monday night. Ginkel won the battle, getting Kingery to ground out.
To receive ticket information on the Wildcats upcoming 2020 baseball season, please click here and fill out our ticket information request form.
Ginkel, who made a run to the College World Series finals during the 2016 season at Arizona, made his MLB debut just over three years after being selected by the Diamondbacks in the 22nd round of the 2016 draft. He is the first Jay Johnson coached player from Arizona to make it to the Major Leagues, and the 81st Wildcat in MLB history.
Congratulations to Kevin Ginkel on his first MLB call-up to the @Dbacks!!
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) August 5, 2019
Kevin is the first player of the @UACoachJ era to make it to MLB.#MLBTrainingGround | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/93HOwVn5Gm
The hard-throwing right hander logged one season with the Cats in 2016, going 5-1 with a 2.80 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 64.1 innings of work. His most impressive work came during the 2016 postseason as Arizona advanced all the way to the College World Series finals — during that run Ginkel made six appearances with two starts and went 2-0 with one save and a 1.89 ERA.
Dear @Dbacks fans,
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) August 5, 2019
Kevin Ginkel knows a thing or two about pitching on a big stage. His numbers in the 2016 postseason:
6? Games / 2? Starts
2?-0? record with 1? save
1?.8?9? ERA
1?9? Innings pitched
1?8? Strikeouts#MLBTrainingGround | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/qzCcay1F0O
Ginkel didn't have to wait long after his call-up to make his Major League debut; he was the second man out of the Diamondbacks bullpen in Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Upon his debut, Ginkel became the first Arizona pitcher to break into the Major Leagues since Preston Guilmet with the Cleveland Indians in July 2013. He is also just the fifth player from the 2016 College World Series to climb the ladder to MLB, following Pete Alonso (Florida/New York-NL), Shaun Anderson (Florida/San Francisco), Shane Bieber (UCSB/Cleveland), and Zack Collins (Miami/Chicago-AL).
First batter? First strikeout. #RattleOn pic.twitter.com/WwLyXIbrrL
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 6, 2019
In his debut, Ginkel struck out the first batter he faced and ultimately worked 0.2 innings as the D-backs dropped a 7-3 decision to the Phillies.
The first of many MLB appearances for Kevin Ginkel! ????
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) August 6, 2019
?? Sarah Sachs/Arizona @Dbacks #MLBTrainingGround | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/EprZEkvi6H
Ginkel is now one of five former Wildcat players currently in the Major Leagues, along with Brandon Dixon (Detroit), Scott Kingery (Philadelphia), Kevin Newman (Pittsburgh), and Mark Melancon (Atlanta), all of whom have put together strong seasons.
Brandon Dixon — Detroit Tigers
Dixon, in his second Major League campaign, has played in 78 games with the Tigers, hitting .265 with 30 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, and 43 RBI. His 14 home runs currently lead the team, while his 43 RBI are tied for first on the squad with Miguel Cabrera.Scott Kingery — Philadelphia Phillies
Kingery is also in his second Major League season, both of which have been with the Phillies. The 25-year old infielder/outfielder is hitting .276 with 43 runs scored, 22 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 34 RBI, and a team-leading nine stolen bases. His OPS+ of 113 is the third-best mark on the team among active players, behind only Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper.Kingery and the Phillies are currently on the road facing the Diamondbacks, and squared off against Ginkel in his MLB debut on Monday night. Ginkel won the battle, getting Kingery to ground out.
??????#MLBTrainingGround | #BearDown pic.twitter.com/3ljJVNPkt7
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) August 6, 2019
Kevin Newman — Pittsburgh Pirates
Newman's second go-around with the Pirates in 2019 has been nothing short of outstanding. He had played in 84 games and is now hitting .310 with 30 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 40 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.Mark Melancon — Atlanta Braves
Melancon has split time this year between the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta; the 12th year MLB veteran began the season in the Bay before being traded to the Braves at the July 31 trade deadline. Overall, he has combined to go 4-2 with a 3.35 ERA across 45 appearances. He has issued 46 strikeouts in 48.1 innings of work while holding opposing hitters to a .273 batting average.To receive ticket information on the Wildcats upcoming 2020 baseball season, please click here and fill out our ticket information request form.
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