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Craig Kimbrel
Kimbrel at the 2018 MLB All-Star Game
Baltimore Orioles – No. 46
Relief pitcher
Born: (1988-05-28) May 28, 1988 (age 36)
Huntsville, Alabama
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 7, 2010, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record49–42
Earned run average2.40
Strikeouts1,192
Saves417
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. A nine-time All-Star, Kimbrel won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2018.

Early life

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Craig Michael Kimbrel was born May 28, 1988, in Huntsville, Alabama,[1] the oldest of Mike and Sandy Kimbrel's three sons.[2] He attended Lee High School in Huntsville, where he was baseball teammates with Buddy Boshers.[3] When he was 18 years old, Kimbrel fractured his left foot on a cut of drywall. He could not put weight on that foot and was forced to practice throwing from his knees, which increased his strength and the velocity on his fastball when he recovered.[4]

College career

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Professional career

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Draft and minor leagues

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The Braves selected Kimbrel again in the 2008 MLB Draft, this time in the third round with the 96th overall pick,[5] and he signed with the team for a $391,000 bonus.[6] He was then assigned to the Rookie-level Danville Braves of the Appalachian League, with whom he went 1-2 with six saves and a 0.47 ERA in 12 relief appearances, all while holding his opponents to a .076 batting average against.[7]

  • 2008 Rome Braves
  • 2008 Myrtle Beach Pelicans
  • 2009 Rome Braves
  • 2009 Myrtle Beach Pelicans
  • 2009 Mississippi Braves
  • 2009 Gwinnett Braves
  • 2009 Peoria Saguaros
  • 2010 Gwinnett Braves

Atlanta Braves (2010–2014)

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Kimbrel with the Braves in 2013
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
Kimbrel with the Braves in 2013
  • 2013
  • 2014

San Diego Padres (2015)

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Kimbrel with the Padres in 2015

On April 5, one day before the start of the 2015 MLB season, the Braves traded Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Carlos Quentin, Cameron Maybin, two prospects, and a future draft pick. Jason Grilli, who had served as Kimbrel's setup man in 2014, would become Atlanta's closer, while Kimbrel was replacing Joaquin Benoit in San Diego.[8] His presence on the team was initially polarizing among fans: despite converting 12 of his first 13 save opportunities, Kimbrel also had an ERA of 5.00 by the end of May, and had allowed three home runs in a span of 18 innings.[9] While facing his old team on June 8, Kimbrel recorded his 200th career save with a perfect 11th inning to take the game 5–3. By doing so in his 318th major league game, he broke Jonathan Papelbon's record of 359 games to 200 saves.[10]

Kimbrel seemed to recover after the first two months of the season, taking his ERA down to 1.79 by mid-September and holding his opponents to a .110 batting average. At the same time, however, the Padres fell behind in the NL West, going 8–16 between August 22 and September 17. Without the need for a closer, the Padres used Kimbrel only six times in this span, including three non-save opportunities.[11] On September 17, Kimbrel, who had come into the game in the bottom of the eighth inning to relieve Benoit, recorded his first career at bat. He struck out looking in the top of the ninth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks closer Josh Collmenter, ending the inning, but retired the Diamondbacks in order to take the game 4–3 and register his 37th save of the season. Interim manager Pat Murphy justified the decision to let Kimbrel hit by saying that he did not want to use a double switch when the Padres were ahead by a run.[12] Although Kimbrel went 4–2 with a 2.58 ERA in 61 appearances for the Padres, struck out 87 batters in 59+1⁄3 innings,[13] and successfully converted 39 out of 43 save opportunities,[14] the Padres finished 74–88 for their fifth consecutive losing season.[15]

Boston Red Sox (2016–2018)

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On November 13, 2015, the Padres traded Kimbrel to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for four top prospects. It was the first major trade of Dave Dombrowski's tenure as Boston's president of baseball operations. To accommodate Kimbrel, closer Koji Uehara moved up to the eighth inning, and setup man Junichi Tazawa was trusted with the seventh.[16] Although his 3.66 ERA and 17 saves in 19 chances were not Kimbrel's career best, he received his fifth career and first American League (AL) All-Star selection on July 5.[17] Three days later, however, Kimbrel injured his left knee during pitching warmups, and he was diagnosed with a medial meniscus tear that would require surgery and three to six weeks of recovery.[18] He returned on August 1 after making one rehab appearance for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.[19] Although Kimbrel struggled during sparing eighth-inning outings and rarely made clean saves, he picked up his 250th career save on September 11, joining Francisco Rodríguez as the only relievers to reach the mark before their 29th birthday.[20] He finished the season with a 2-6 record, 3.40 ERA, and 83 strikeouts in 57 games and 53 innings.[21] Additionally, Kimbrel recorded 31 saves in 33 chances before joining the Red Sox for the 2016 American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Cleveland Indians.[22]

Kimbrel with the Red Sox in 2017
  • 2017
  • 2018

Chicago Cubs (2019–2021)

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A difficult free agent market meant that Kimbrel missed over a third of the 2019 MLB season before finding a place to pitch.[23] On June 5, the Chicago Cubs, who were struggling with a number of injuries to their bullpen and had extra salary space after Ben Zobrist went on personal leave, signed Kimbrel to a three-year contract on June 5. Under the terms of the contract, Kimbrel would earn $10 million in 2019, followed by $16 million apiece in 2020 and 2021.[24] Having not pitched in seven months at the time of the signing, he was assigned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in order to build back pitching strength before rejoining the majors.[25]

  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021

Chicago White Sox (2021)

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At the 2021 MLB trading deadline, the Cubs traded Kimbrel to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for second baseman Nick Madrigal and pitcher Codi Heuer. The White Sox, who already had an established closer with All-Star Liam Hendriks, decided to platoon the two relievers in high-leverage situations.[26] Kimbrel struggled with pitch command upon the trade, particularly with his four-seam fastball and his curveball. Despite maintaining a 0.49 ERA with the Cubs, his White Sox ERA was 5.78 by September 22, with 17 hits and four home runs in 19 innings.[27]

Los Angeles Dodgers (2022)

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On April 1, 2022, the White Sox traded Kimbrel to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfielder A. J. Pollock.[28]

Philadelphia Phillies (2023)

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Baltimore Orioles (2024–present)

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On December 6, 2023, Kimbrel signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, with a club option for the 2025 season.[29] With Félix Bautista expected to miss the 2024 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, the Orioles acquired Kimbrel as their replacement closer.[30]

International career

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Pitching style

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Kimbrel demonstrates his unique pre-pitching stance

Kimbrel is known for the unique stance he takes before each pitch. Rather than holding his right arm behind his back as he waits for a signal from his catcher, Kimbrel holds his arm to the side, with his hand pointed downwards. He began utilizing this stance in 2010, after a bout of biceps tendinitis made holding his arm behind his back too painful.[31]

Career highlights

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Awards

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Awards received by Craig Kimbrel
Name of award Time(s) Date(s) Ref.
MLB All-Star ‡ 9 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023 TKx9
MLB Delivery Man of the Year 1 2013 TK
MLB Reliever of the Year ‡ 2 2014, 2017 TKx2
NL Rolaids Relief Man 1 2012 TK
NL Rookie of the Year 1 2011 TK
Sporting News Pitcher of the Year ‡ 3 2013, 2014, 2017 TKx3
World Series champion 1 2018 TK
Notes:
Per Baseball-Reference.com and listed references.
‡—Awarded for play in National League from 2011 to 2015, and from 2019 to 2023; and for play American League from 2016 to 2018.

Statistical highlights

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Personal life

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Craig Kimbrel Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  2. ^ McCarter, Mark (November 15, 2011). "Cause for celebration: Huntsville's Craig Kimbrel is National League Rookie of the Year". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  3. ^ Boyette, Daniel (June 30, 2017). "Former Lee High School teammates pitch in same MLB game". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  4. ^ Lemire, Joe (September 12, 2011). "A bad break turns out to be pretty good for Braves' Kimbrel". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Keuler, John (June 5, 2014). "A look at Craig Kimbrel's career highlights thus far". Atlanta. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  6. ^ Curtright, Guy (May 28, 2010). "Kimbrel the reliever of the future for Braves". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  7. ^ Hayes, Tim (October 22, 2018). "World Series Notebook: Kimbrel started winning ways in Bristol". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  8. ^ "Braves trade Craig Kimbrel, Melvin Upton Jr. to Padres". ESPN. April 5, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Calkins, Matt (May 29, 2015). "Can the Padres still rely on Kimbrel?". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  10. ^ "Kemp, Kimbrel lead Padres over Braves in 11 innings". USA Today. Associated Press. June 8, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  11. ^ Lin, Dennis (September 17, 2015). "Craig Kimbrel: 'It's been a frustrating year'". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Bloom, Barry M. (September 17, 2015). "Kimbrel gets taste of his own medicine in 1st AB". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "Padres trade Craig Kimbrel to Red Sox in exchange for 4 prospects". ESPN. November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  14. ^ Lin, Dennis (November 13, 2015). "Padres trade Kimbrel for Red Sox prospects". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  15. ^ "Kershaw tops 300 Ks in Dodgers' 6–3 win over Padres". ESPN. October 4, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  16. ^ Browne, Ian (November 13, 2015). "Red Sox strike deal with Padres for Kimbrel". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  17. ^ Browne, Ian (July 5, 2016). "Red Sox sending 6 (4 starters) to All-Star Game". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  18. ^ "Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel to have knee surgery, out 3–6 weeks". Sports Illustrated. July 9, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  19. ^ "Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel back from knee surgery". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. August 1, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  20. ^ Mastrodonato, Jason (September 14, 2016). "Craig Kimbrel has mostly enjoyed his first season as the Red Sox closer". Boston Herald. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  21. ^ "Craig Kimbrel Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  22. ^ Abraham, Peter (February 15, 2017). "Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel is realigned and reloaded". Boston Globe. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  23. ^ Kepner, Tyler (June 6, 2019). "Cubs Sign Craig Kimbrel to Anchor Their Latest Run". The New York Times. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  24. ^ "Source: Cubs, Kimbrel reach 3-year, $43M deal". ESPN. June 5, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  25. ^ Birch, Tommy (June 7, 2019). "Cubs sign Craig Kimbrel and option him to Iowa Cubs – but there's a catch". Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  26. ^ Merkin, Scott (July 30, 2021). "White Sox net Kimbrel from crosstown Cubs". MLB.com. Advanced Media Group. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  27. ^ Van Schouwen, Daryl (September 22, 2021). "White Sox waiting for Craig Kimbrel to return to form". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  28. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (April 1, 2022). "Los Angeles Dodgers get closer Craig Kimbrel in trade that sends AJ Pollock to Chicago White Sox". ESPN. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  29. ^ Rill, Jake (December 6, 2023). "Kimbrel signed to fill O's void at closer". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  30. ^ Meyer, Jacob Calvin (December 6, 2023). "Orioles, 9-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel agree to one-year, $13 million deal, helping reinforce bullpen". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  31. ^ Kenney, Kirk (April 13, 2015). "Kimbrel's unusual mound presence". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
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