Talk to James Karinchak for a few minutes, and you realize that he\u2019s quick to get to the point.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s polite, but maybe just a little rough around the edges. After all, he\u2019s a relief pitcher, and they can be wired differently. Ask Karinchak, hoping to return to the majors in 2026 after a two-year absence, a question, and you get a direct answer.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no filler, and it\u2019s refreshing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been playing for a long time, and I want to show the world what I can do,\u201d said Karinchak, a 2014 Valley Central graduate, who recently signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.<\/p>\n
Atlanta signed Karinchak, 30, as a low risk potential high reward right-hander out of the bullpen. Atlanta gives him another chance at an MLB comeback after pitching effectively for the Cleveland Guardians from 2019 23.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really excited because Atlanta has been a great team for the last decade,\u201d Karinchak said. \u201cI hope to help continue with that winning culture. I had some other teams interested, but I believe this was the best opportunity, and I know I made the right choice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Known as a strikeout pitcher, Karinchak posted a 3.10 ERA over 165 2\/3 innings, spanning 174 games, with Cleveland. He struck out 253 batters for a 36.3% career strikeout rate.<\/p>\n
However, Karinchak experienced shoulder issues in 2024 and didn\u2019t pitch an inning for the Guardians. He was released and signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox last winter. Karinchak put up a 2.45 ERA and a 28.1% strikeout rate over 29 1\/3 innings for Triple-A Charlotte before he was released in June.<\/p>\n
Karinchak did not pitch the rest of the season, but has worked on his delivery and mechanics for the past few months at a facility called The Baseball Performance Center in Egg Harbor, N.J. He also trains where he lives in Tampa, Fla.<\/p>\n
You can ask Karinchak if he is motivated to make it back to the big leagues and what it would mean to do so, but don\u2019t expect a long-winded answer. Don\u2019t expect him to wax poetic.<\/p>\n
Just give him the ball come spring training.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel healthy, I have been training, and I feel that I am more desirable as a pitcher,\u201d Karinchak said. \u201cI think I\u2019m more disciplined. I love what I\u2019m doing, and I want to do it for as long as I can. But, for now, I just want to focus on this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
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