 Kunkel returned to the Braves' system for the 1964 season, spending time with two Triple-A clubs, the Denver Bears of the Pacific Coast League (3.68 ERA in 66 innings) and the Maple Leafs (3.11 ERA in 55 innings).At the end of spring training in 1965, Kunkel was released by the Atlanta Crackers, the Braves' affiliate in the International League that season.He signed the following week with the Rochester Red Wings, Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and in August with the Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.