Trevor Kuncl signs minor league contract

It was only a matter of time before a big league club took notice of Lake Erie's flamethrowing closer. That time has arrived.

Trevor Kuncl, RHP, has signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

Kuncl began his Crushers tenure in 2022 and made steady improvements each year while finishing his Lake Erie career with a 2.96 ERA in 139 innings with a ridiculous 163 strikeouts. Out of the bullpen, Kuncl posted back-to-back seasons with more than 40 appearances, posting a 3.10 ERA in 2023 and a 2.47 ERA with 21 saves in 2024.

Many times, when you see bulk strikeout numbers like Kuncl's, it comes at the cost of lack of command. However, that simply isn't the case with Kuncl. While issuing walks was never a major issue, Trevor improved his walk rate dramatically over the course of three seasons with Lake Erie, walking just nine (9) batters in 43 1/2 innings in 2024 (a 1.9 BB/9 to go with his otherworldly 12.2 K/9). This mix of incredible control and strikeout prowess makes for an elite bullpen arm.

The George Washington University product was voted to the Frontier League All-Star roster in 2024. In Quebec City with the whole Frontier League watching, Kuncl turned it into a showcase. He entered the game in the 8th inning, clocked at 103mph with the fastball, and recorded a four-out save against the best bats in the East Division. The buzz around the league after the All-Star game was his electric fastball and devastating slider he throws two different ways to elicit different movement.

Kuncl's relief background dates back all the way to his college days, and he has the classic closer persona: blacking out from the adrenaline when he gets between the white lines, "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma" for his closer entrance song, a tight-spinning fastball that gets on you quick, and a wipeout slider that leaves hitters contemplating life as they find their seat back in the dugout. Trevor will fit nicely in Cincinnati's organizational pitcher factory.

The Frontier League's goal is to help players make their way into affiliated ball. After a brief Spring Training stint with the Texas Rangers earlier this year, Trevor Kuncl is getting his chance to shine in the Reds organization.

Stories like Trevor's are exciting and grounds to be celebrated. The Lake Erie Crushers organization thanks Trevor Kuncl for his three seasons of unmatched energy, competitiveness, and stellar on-field performance. The Crushers wish him the best as he begins his affiliated-ball career and look forward to seeing him pitch at Great American Ballpark in the future!