Former Braves and current Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel has transformed into an even more dominant finisher, if that was even possible.
Since 2010, Kimbrel has been the game’s premier closer. He boasts a fastball that sits in the high 90s and a distinct curveball to throw you off. He peaked with a 15-inning scoreless streak in which he retired 46 of 49 batters, 28 via strikeout.
The Braves traded Kimbrel to the Padres in 2015. While that deal is criticized to this day, the reality is the Braves had no use for a closer when beginning a lengthy rebuild. The team now has prospect A.J. Minter, who's providing shades of what the Braves saw in Kimbrel.
Kimbrel’s time in southern California was short-lived, and he was traded to Boston for a three-prospect package. He has since starred in what might be baseball’s best (and toughest) market.
Craig Kimbrel, Filthy 2 Pitch Sequence (99mph FB up and 89 Knuckle Curve].
🤢
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja)
"He gets you out three ways if he wants to," an anonymous NL scout said. Filthy breaking ball, and he pounds the swing-and-miss from the letters in the zone to eye level. Excellent fielder. Does the little things so well."
Kimbrel hasn’t allowed a run in 55 of his 63 appearances. He’s allowed 47 base runners over 65 innings, and strikes out roughly half those who oppose him. He’s converted 33 of 37 saves.
The Braves drafted him in the third round in the 2008 draft. The organization saw a Billy Wagner-like talent, and treated him as a closer from the get-go. He debuted in the bigs two years later and since then leads relievers in ERA (1.79, best ever among relievers with 400 innings), saves (289), WAR (17.7), strikeouts (767) and strikeout percentage (42).
Craig Kimbrel, 99mph Fastball Movement.
😳 [It's either the camera...or the ball is remote controlled.]
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja)
"I'll never forget, his sophomore year, we were playing in Tuscaloosa in a fall game, and I'd say there were probably 25 scouts in to see him. Every pitch was at 98, 99, and it was on the kneecaps," said Randy Putman, Kimbrel’s coach at Wallace State Community College. "That was the tip of the iceberg. He had signed at Alabama, and I told the coaches there, 'You ain't getting him. He's going to go [pro].'"
Kimbrel is the rare natural reliever. From Wallace State to the Braves, the plan was for him to finish games. And with Kimbrel set to hit the free-agent market next season, the then 30-year-old will be well-positioned to top the record deals Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman received last winter.
Will it be Boston? They can certainly afford it, but there’will be no shortage of interest in the game’s most electric bullpen arm.
