5 former top prospects the Pirates should take chances on to improve depth

James Karinchak

James Karinchack was ranked as the 101st-best prospect by Baseball Prospectus in 2020. The reliever delivered on his promise throughout his first few seasons in the major leagues. From 2020 through 2023, Karinchak had a 3.14 ERA, 3.51 FIP, and 1.20 WHIP in 160.1 innings of work for Cleveland.

Karinchak’s peripherals included some mixed numbers. He had a healthy 36.3% strikeout rate, the sixth-highest among any reliever with 150+ IP between these four seasons. Stuff+ had Karinchak at an elite 127. He also had a respectable 1.01 HR/9, but he was prone to hard contact with a 90.1 MPH exit velo and 8.3% barrel rate. The worst number among his peripherals was his horrid 14.4% walk rate, the third-highest among fellow relievers with 150+ IP.

The 2024 season, however, did not go well for the hard-throwing right-hander. Karinchak only pitched 6.2 innings at Triple-A and did not appear in a major league uniform for the Guardians. He spent most of the season on the 60-day IL with back issues. More worryingly, his lack of velocity was evident. Karinchak averaged 92.1 MPH and topped out at 94 with his four-seamer. For reference, he averaged 95.6 MPH from 2020-2023.

Karinchak has the most major league success of any of the five names on today’s list. That would make him a decent reliever to store at Triple-A. He’d definitely be a better option than any of Brady Feigl, Ben Heller, or Ryder Ryan, given his much better track record.