Joel Kuhnel

Active

San Francisco Giants · Pitcher

Age 316' 5" · 290 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

At 31 years old, Kuhnel continues to operate in a relief role for the Brewers, though his early 2026 numbers suggest limited fantasy appeal at this stage of the season. Through 34.1 innings, he's logged six saves with a 4.72 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, indicating he's seeing some closing opportunities but struggling with consistency on the mound. His 22 strikeouts show he retains some velocity, but the elevated ERA and WHIP make him a risky streaming option unless his role solidifies as the primary closer. Fantasy managers should monitor whether his performance improves and whether the Brewers commit to him in save situations, as his current numbers suggest he's better left on the waiver wire in most formats.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2019	Cincinnati Reds	11	1	0	0	4.66	1.34	9	9.2	5
2020	Cincinnati Reds	3	1	0	0	6.00	1.33	3	3.0	0
2022	Cincinnati Reds	53	2	3	1	6.36	1.40	56	58.0	14
2023	2 teams▼	9	0	0	0	5.54	1.62	3	13.0	5
2024	2 teams▼	6	0	0	0	4.50	0.80	5	10.0	0
2026	3 teams▼	38	1	3	7	4.74	1.50	23	38.0	13
Career	Totals	120	5	6	8	5.54	1.40	99	131.2	37

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2016	Billings Mustangs	18	0	0	1	4	3.43	1.38	14	21.0	1
2017	Dayton Dragons	48	0	2	4	11	4.36	1.38	54	64.0	10
2018	Daytona Tortugas	44	0	1	4	17	3.04	1.22	56	53.1	11
2019	2 teams▼	41	0	5	3	14	2.18	1.02	50	53.2	16
2021	2 teams▼	8	1	0	1	1	1.13	0.88	11	8	1
2022	Louisville Bats	10	0	0	1	3	2.61	0.97	7	10.1	1
2023	2 teams▼	38	0	2	3	1	6.18	1.67	31	43.2	16
2024	4 teams▼	35	0	7	1	0	3.00	1.33	31	42.0	11
2025	2 teams▼	50	2	4	2	7	3.53	1.18	56	63.2	11
2026	2 teams▼	13	0	3	0	0	1.29	0.93	14	14.0	4
Career	Totals	305	3	24	20	58	3.49	1.26	324	373.2	82

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo95.1 mph

Avg Spin2288 rpm

Whiff %21.8%

K %13.5%

BB %7.6%

Hard Hit %40.6%

Barrel %5.5%

xERA5.46

xBA Against0.298

xSLG Against0.441

BA Against0.291

SLG Against0.464

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2019

Cincinnati Reds

4.66

1.34

9.2

2020

Cincinnati Reds

6.00

1.33

3.0

2022

Cincinnati Reds

6.36

1.40

58.0

2023

2 teams▼

5.54

1.62

13.0

2024

2 teams▼

4.50

0.80

10.0

2026

3 teams▼

4.74

1.50

38.0

Career

Totals

120

5.54

1.40

131.2

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2016

Billings Mustangs

3.43

1.38

21.0

2017

Dayton Dragons

4.36

1.38

64.0

2018

Daytona Tortugas

3.04

1.22

53.1

2019

2 teams▼

2.18

1.02

53.2

2021

2 teams▼

1.13

0.88

2022

Louisville Bats

2.61

0.97

10.1

2023

2 teams▼

6.18

1.67

43.2

2024

4 teams▼

3.00

1.33

42.0

2025

2 teams▼

3.53

1.18

63.2

2026

2 teams▼

1.29

0.93

14.0

Career

Totals

305

3.49

1.26

324

373.2