Ken Giles, Relief Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

Date of Birth: 9/20/1990
Birthplace: Albuquerque, New Mexico
College: Yavapai College

Ken Giles, relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, started playing baseball as a preschooler. In high school, he was primarily an outfielder. He first became a pitcher at Yavapai College. While in college, he was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2009 but he didn't sign with them. Two years later, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched in the Phillies' minor league system from 2011 through 2013.

Giles joined the Phillies' bullpen in 2014, pitching in 44 games. He finished the season with a 1.18 ERA and 64 strikeouts to 11 walks in 45.2 innings. In 2015, he became the Phillies' closer on July 28th, when Jonathan Papelbon was traded to the Washington Nationals. He finished the 2015 season with a 1.80 ERA, 15 saves, and 87 strikeouts to 25 walks in 70.0 innings in 69 games.

Giles was traded to the Houston Astros on December 12, 2015. He finished the 2016 season with a 4.11 ERA in 69 games with the Astros. He had 2 wins to 5 losses, 15 saves, and 102 strikeouts to 25 walks in 65.2 innings.

Giles finished the 2017 season with 1 win and 3 losses, 34 saves, 83 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 2.30 ERA in 62.2 innings in 63 games. In the postseason, he pitched 7.2 innings in 7 games and he gave up 12 hits and 10 runs. He struck out 10 batters and walked 5.

The Astros traded Giles to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 30, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with no wins and 3 losses, 26 saves, 53 strikeouts to 7 walks, and a 4.65 ERA in 34 games with the Astros and 21 games with the Blue Jays.

Giles spent time on the DL in 2019 with right elbow inflammation. He finished the season with 2 wins and 3 losses, 23 saves, 83 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 1.87 ERA in 53.0 innings in 53 games.

Giles pitched just 3.2 innings in 4 games in 2020. He had a 9.82 ERA.

Giles became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed with the Seattle Mariners on February 18, 2021. He spent the 2021 season on the IL.

The Mariners released Giles on August 14, 2022. He signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on August 22nd, and he was released a week later, on August 29th.

Giles signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers on June 4, 2023.

Career pitching statistics for Giles through 2020 include:

• 357 games played
• 351.0 innings pitched
• 14-18 win-loss record
• 115 saves
• 478 strikeouts to 110 walks
• 2.74 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Ken Giles
ESPN - Ken Giles