Robert Harris Kaminsky (born September 2, 1994) is an American professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

who is a free agent. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...

. In high school, Kaminsky was the Gatorade New Jersey Baseball Player of the Year in both 2012 and 2013, named to the 2012 ''USA Today'' All-USA Team, and a 2013 ''

Baseball America ''Baseball America'' (BA) is a sports publication company that covers baseball at every level, including Major League Baseball (MLB), with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) college, high school, and inte ...

'' Preseason First Team All-American. He was drafted by the Cardinals at the age of 18 in the first round of the

2013 Major League Baseball draft The 2013 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2013. The first two rounds were broadcast from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. Each team received one selection per round, going in reverse order of ...

, 28th overall. He made his major league debut for the Cardinals in August 2020. Kaminsky pitched for Team Israel in the

2023 World Baseball Classic The 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) was an international professional baseball tournament and the fifth iteration of the World Baseball Classic. It began on March 8, 2023, and ran until March 21. It was originally scheduled to take place in ...

Early life

Kaminsky was born in and grew up in

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Englewood Cliffs is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,342, an increase of 61 (+1.2%) from the 2010 census count of 5,281, which in turn reflected a ...

.Jeff Brewer (July 15, 2016)
"RubberDucks left-hander Rob Kaminsky starting to live up to billing as top prospect,"
''Beacon Journal''. His parents are Donna Kaminsky, and Alan Kaminsky, a

civil litigator Civil law is a major "branch of the law", in common law legal systems such as those in England and Wales and in the United States, where it stands in contrast to criminal law.Glanville Williams. ''Learning the Law''. Eleventh Edition. Stevens. 19 ...

for Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith in New York City.Wayne Coffey (April 20, 2013)
"Echoes of Sandy Koufax: When Jersey phenom Robert Kaminsky pitches, it harkens back to his idol and fellow Jew - and a Brooklyn-born baseball icon,"
''The New York Daily News''. He has two older siblings, Joseph and Anna, and his grandfather is Bernard Kaminsky. Kaminsky is Jewish, and his

bar mitzvah A ''bar mitzvah'' () or ''bat mitzvah'' () is a coming of age ritual in Judaism. According to Halakha, Jewish law, before children reach a certain age, the parents are responsible for their child's actions. Once Jewish children reach that age ...

was based on a baseball theme. His boyhood hero was left-handed pitcher

Sandy Koufax Sanford Koufax (; né Braun; born December 30, 1935), nicknamed "the Left Arm of God", is an American former baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 195 ...

, and he said Koufax "stood up for what he believed in" when Koufax decided not to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it was on

Yom Kippur Yom Kippur ( ; , ) is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. It occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei, corresponding to a date in late September or early October. For traditional Jewish people, it is primarily centered on atonement and ...

. He is nearly completely

ambidextrous Ambidexterity is the ability to use both the right and left hand equally well. When referring to objects, the term indicates that the object is equally suitable for right-handed and left-handed people. When referring to humans, it indicates that ...

; Kaminsky writes, throws a football, and shoots a basketball right-handed, but throws a baseball left-handed."Rob Kaminsky; Top Rated Prospect"
Draft 2013. In Little League, he sometimes threw left-handed and sometimes threw right-handed. He learned how to switch-hit when he was around 10 years old."Male Athlete of the Week: Rob Kaminsky of St. Joseph,"
''

The Record The Record may refer to: Music * The Record (Fear album), ''The Record'' (Fear album), a 1982 studio album by the hardcore-punk band Fear * The Record (Boygenius album), ''The Record'' (Boygenius album), a 2023 studio album by the indie rock supe ...

''. Kaminsky attended Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County, a Jewish day school, through eighth grade.

High school

Kaminsky attended

Saint Joseph Regional High School Saint Joseph Regional High School (known as SJR, St. Joe's or Joe's) is a private, Catholic Church, Catholic, University-preparatory school, college preparatory school for boys, located on a campus in Montvale, New Jersey, Montvale, in Bergen ...

Montvale, New Jersey Montvale is a borough in northern Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, bordering the state of New York. The borough is part of the New York City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 8 ...

, graduating in 2013. Initially, he was a center fielder, and in 2011 he preferred playing the outfield. He was the Gatorade New Jersey Baseball Player of the Year, and the ''

Star-Ledger ''The Star-Ledger'' was the largest circulation newspaper in New Jersey. It is based in Newark, New Jersey. The newspaper ceased print publication on February 2, 2025, but continues to publish a digital edition. In 2007, ''The Star-Ledger''s ...

'' New Jersey Player of the Year, in both 2012 and 2013. In his junior year in 2012 he was 8-2 with a 0.20

earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...

(ERA), struck out 103 batters and walked 20 in 53 innings, and pitched three

no-hitter In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...

s and three one-hitters. He was also named to the ''USA Today'' All-USA Team.James Kratch (May 28, 2013)
"Baseball: Rob Kaminsky named Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year,"
NJ.com. In his senior year in 2013 Kaminsky was 10-0 with a 0.10 ERA, averaged two strikeouts per inning, gave up 14 walks as he struck out 126 in 64 innings, pitched three no-hitters and three one-hitters, while batting .506 with 3

home run In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the Baseball (ball), ball is hit in such a way that the batting (baseball), batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safe (baseball), safely in one play without any error ( ...

s and 19 RBIs. He was also a ''

'' Preseason First Team All-American and a

Rawlings Rawlings may refer to: *Rawlings (company), a U.S. sports equipment company *Rawlings, Maryland, an unincorporated community in Allegany County, Maryland *Rawlings (surname) Rawlings is an English-language surname. Notable people with the name in ...

-Perfect Game First Team All-American. Seattle Mariners scout Frank Rendini said: "He has a major-league curveball right now." While in high school, Kaminsky raised over $30,000 through his Strikeout Challenge charity for the

pediatric cancer Childhood cancer is cancer in a child. About 80% of childhood cancer cases in high-income countries are being able to treat with modern treatments and good medical care. Yet, only 10% of children with cancer live in high-income countries where pro ...

ward at

Englewood Hospital Englewood Hospital is an acute care 294-bed teaching hospital in Englewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. In spring 2024, the medical center received an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group patient safety organization. ...

, as he asked supporters to donate whatever amount they chose for each strikeout he recorded in his senior year.

Career

St. Louis Cardinals

Kaminsky was drafted by the

at the age of 18 in the first round of the

2013 Major League Baseball Draft The 2013 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2013. The first two rounds were broadcast from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. Each team received one selection per round, going in reverse order of ...

, 28th overall, after ''Baseball America'' ranked him the # 21 prospect in the draft.Matt Bretz (March 16, 2017
"Cleveland Indians 2017 top prospects: No. 14, Rob Kaminsky,"
Fansided. He became the 12th New Jersey player drafted in the first round directly out of high school since the initial Major League Baseball draft in 1965. He signed for a

signing bonus A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee (including a professional sports person) by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive ...

of $1.785 million, foregoing his scholarship to pitch and play center field for the

University of North Carolina Tar Heels The North Carolina Tar Heels (also Carolina Tar Heels) are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North ...

. In 2013 he made his professional debut for the Gulf Coast Cardinals in the Rookie

Gulf Coast League The Florida Complex League (FCL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in Florida, United States. Before 2021, it was known as the Gulf Coast League (GCL). Together with the Arizona Complex League (ACL), it forms the low ...

."Rob Kaminsky Baseball Statistics [2013-17]"
The Baseball Cube. Kaminsky appeared in eight games with five starts and had a 3.68 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched. ''Baseball America'' ranked him the Gulf Coast League's No. 8 prospect in 2013. Kaminsky pitched in 2014 for the Peoria Chiefs of the Single–A Midwest League In 2014, he appeared in 18 games, all starts, going 8-2 with a 1.88 ERA (the best ERA in the league of all pitchers with 100 or more innings pitched), and a 1.013

WHIP A whip is a blunt weapon or implement used in a striking motion to create sound or pain. Whips can be used for flagellation against humans or animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain, or be used as an audible cue thro ...

(9th among Cardinals minor leaguers). He was named a ''Baseball America'' Low–A All Star, and ''Scout'' named him the best left-handed starter in the Cardinals' minor league system.Sam Dykstra (July 30, 2015)
"Indians acquire Kaminsky in Moss deal; Cardinals send No. 3 prospect to Cleveland in exchange for outfielder,"
MiLB.com.Brian Walton (January 7, 2017)
"2017 TCN/Scout.com Cards All-Prospect Team; Our annual ranking of the best prospects in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system by position including a top 50 depth chart,"
''Scout''.

Cleveland Indians

On July 30, 2015, the Cardinals traded Kaminsky to the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...

in exchange for outfielder/first baseman

Brandon Moss Brandon Douglas Moss (born September 16, 1983) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athlet ...

. At the time, MLB.com ranked Kaminsky the No. 3 prospect in the St. Louis organization, and 88th overall, and ''Scout'' ranked him the best pitcher in the Cardinals' minor league system. Kaminsky finished 2015 with a 6-6 record and a 2.24 ERA.Jim Callis (July 30, 2015)
"Rob Kaminsky deal a strong trade for Indians; Cleveland gets touted left-handed prospect in exchange for power bat,"
mlb.com. He was ranked the No. 3 prospect, and top pitching prospect, in the Cleveland Indians organization. Kaminsky spent the 2016 season with the

Akron RubberDucks The Akron RubberDucks are a Minor League Baseball team based in Akron, Ohio. The team, which plays in the Eastern League (1938–present), Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They play in Canal Park (Akron, Ohio) ...

of the Double-A Eastern League, where he posted an 11-7 record and a 3.28 ERA."2016 Eastern League - Season Review,"
The Baseball Cube. He was placed on the disabled list with left forearm soreness after one start for Akron in 2017, and did not pitch during the remainder of the season. In 2018 Kaminsky pitched two scoreless innings for Lynchburg, and then pitched only 26.1 innings over 23 games out of the bullpen for Akron, going 1-1 with 4 saves and a 3.28 ERA.">"Rob Kaminsky Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History,"
Baseball-Reference.com. Kaminsky then pitched for the

Glendale Desert Dogs The Glendale Desert Dogs are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. The ballpark is also the spring training facility of the Chicago White S ...

in the

Arizona Fall League The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season baseball league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are filled ...

, was picked for the league's Fall Stars Game. In 2019, he pitched for both Akron, for whom he was 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA in innings, and for the Triple-A

Columbus Clippers The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They are located in Columbus, Ohio, and are named for speedy Merchant ship, merch ...

, for whom Kaminsky was 1-0 with a 5.11 ERA in innings. Kaminsky elected minor league free agency on November 4, 2019. The day he became a minor league free agent, the Cardinals made him an offer.

St. Louis Cardinals (second stint)

On December 12, 2019, Kaminsky signed a minor league deal with the

, and was invited to major league spring training as a non-roster player. In July 2020 he was added to the Cardinals' 60-player roster pool. On August 15, 2020, Kaminsky was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his major league debut for the Cardinals on August 16. Kaminsky was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on September 16; he cleared waivers, remained in the organization, and was outrighted by the Cardinals to their alternate site.

Philadelphia Phillies

On April 18, 2021, Kaminsky signed a minor league contract with the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...

organization. In his lone appearance for the Triple-A

Lehigh Valley IronPigs The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and they are named in reference to pig iron, used ...

, Kaminsky struck out 2 over one scoreless inning. On August 5, Kaminsky was released by the Phillies organization.

Seattle Mariners

On April 6, 2022, Kaminsky signed a minor league contract with the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

organization. Pitching for the Double-A

Arkansas Travelers The Arkansas Travelers, known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Travelers are the Double-A (baseball), Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and play in the Texas League. Hi ...

in 2022, he was 3-1 with one save, a 4.91 ERA, and 39 strikeouts across 39 relief appearances covering innings. Kaminsky elected free agency following the season on November 10. On April 14, 2023, Kaminsky re-signed with the Mariners on a minor league contract. He split the year between the Triple-A

Tacoma Rainiers The Tacoma Rainiers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. They are located in Tacoma, Washington, and play their home games at Cheney Stadium, ...

, Arkansas, and rookie–level

Arizona Complex League Mariners The Arizona Complex League Mariners are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona. The team is comp ...

, for whom he was a combined 6-1 with a 5.13 ERA in 32 games (2 starts) in which he pitched innings. He elected free agency on November 6.

Staten Island FerryHawks

On June 2, 2024, Kaminsky signed with the

Staten Island FerryHawks The Staten Island FerryHawks are an American minor-league professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Staten Island. They are a member of the North Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a "partner league ...

of the

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...

. He made 2 starts for Staten Island, logging a 6.75 ERA with 5 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Seattle Mariners (second stint)

On June 17, 2024, Kaminsky signed a minor league contract with the

. In 15 appearances for the Triple-A

, he struggled to a 7.66 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 47 innings pitched. Kaminsky elected free agency following the season on November 4.

St. Louis Cardinals (third stint)

On February 9, 2025, Kaminsky signed a minor league contract with the

. He made three scoreless appearances split between the rookie-level

Florida Complex League Cardinals The Florida Complex League Cardinals or FCL Cardinals are a rookie league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to 2021, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Cardinals. ...

and Triple-A

Memphis Redbirds The Memphis Redbirds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and are named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. The Redbird ...

, recording seven strikeouts over four innings. Kaminsky was released by the Cardinals organization on June 2.

International career

Kaminsky played for the Team Israel in the

References

External links

* *Rob Kaminsky (August 21, 2017)
"Life in the minors; working towards a dream; An inside look at the life and grind of the competitive minor leagues, as told by Indians pitching prospect Rob Kaminsky,"
Let's Go Tribe {{DEFAULTSORT:Kaminsky, Rob 1994 births Living people Akron RubberDucks players Arizona Complex League Mariners players Arkansas Travelers players Baseball players from Bergen County, New Jersey Columbus Clippers players Florida Complex League Cardinals players Glendale Desert Dogs players Gulf Coast Cardinals players Jewish American baseball players Lehigh Valley IronPigs players 21st-century American sportsmen Lynchburg Hillcats players Major League Baseball pitchers Memphis Redbirds players Palm Beach Cardinals players People from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Peoria Chiefs players Saint Joseph Regional High School alumni Staten Island FerryHawks players St. Louis Cardinals players Tacoma Rainiers players 21st-century American Jews 2023 World Baseball Classic players