James Karinchak

James Stephen Karinchak (born September 22, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Bryant University, and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2019.

Amateur career
Karinchak attended Valley Central High School in Montgomery, New York. Undrafted out of high school, he attended Bryant University, where he played college baseball for the Bulldogs. In 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Karinchak was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB draft.

Minor leagues
Karinchak made his professional debut in 2017 with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, going 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA over 23 innings. He split 2018 season between the Lake County Captains, Lynchburg Hillcats and Akron RubberDucks, combining to go 4-2 with a 1.29 ERA over $48 2⁄3$ innings. He opened the 2019 season with Akron and was promoted to the Columbus Clippers early in May.

Major leagues
On September 13, 2019, the Indians selected Karinchak's contract and promoted him to the major leagues. He made his major league debut on September 14 versus the Minnesota Twins, pitching $1 1⁄3$ scoreless innings and recording three strikeouts.

With the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Karinchak appeared in 27 games, compiling a 1–2 record with 2.67 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched. In 2021, he pitched to a 7–4 record and a 4.07 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 32 walks in $55 1/3$ innings.

In 2022, with the Cleveland Guardians, Karinchak accumulated a 2–0 record and a 2.08 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched. Karinchak missed the first few months of the season with shoulder injury, making rehab appearances with the Columbus Clippers before returning to the major leagues on July 4. Karinchak's 2.08 ERA was the 9th lowest among AL relievers.

In 2023, Karinchak appeared in 44 games out of the bullpen for the Guardians, accumulating a 3.23 ERA with 52 strikeouts across 39 innings pitched.

Karinchak was placed on the 60–day injured list with right shoulder inflammation to begin the 2024 season.

Personal life
Karinchak grew up a New York Yankees fan.

Karinchak faced criticism in 2021 after making a post on Instagram expressing his views on the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The post included a quote incorrectly attributed to Nazi Party leader Hermann Göring. Karinchak's post was condemned by the Anti-Defamation League of Cleveland. In 2022, Karinchak was unable to travel to Toronto for a series against the Blue Jays and placed on the restricted list as he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.