New Braves closer Craig Kimbrel

Atlanta Braves

New Braves closer Craig Kimbrel.

At 22, Craig Kimbrel is in his first season as the Braves closer, replacing Billy Wagner. The former Braves closer has faith in the youngster, picking him up for his fantasy baseball team.

Kimbrel, in his first major league season, has 11 saves and leads all National League closers with 34 strikeouts, entering Saturday night's game.

But he also already has blown four saves, tied for most among NL closers. "We know there are going to be some ups and downs. Hopefully, the ups are a lot longer than the downs," says Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "You just got to roll with it a little bit."

Kimbrel, right with rookie setup man Jonny Venters in the middle, pitched some for the team late in 2010 including against the Giants in the postseason. "He throws 96 [mph], and it looks 110," says Braves catcher Brian McCann of Kimbrel's fastball. "He comes right at you with the four-seam fastball. It's hard to pick up as a catcher; I can only imagine trying to hit it. It shoots out, it seems like it comes right out of his shoulder."

Kimbrel's mincing pre-pitch routine, which he developed last season in Triple-A, serves no practical purpose. "It looks cool to me," he says.

Kimbrel changed his entrance music this season to the very closer-ly "Welcome to the Jungle."

1/6

At 22, Craig Kimbrel is in his first season as the Braves closer, replacing Billy Wagner. The former Braves closer has faith in the youngster, picking him up for his fantasy baseball team.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Allyson Phillips (center), Laken Riley’s mother, prays at UGA’s Tate Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, during a memorial service for her daughter. Riley was attacked on Feb. 22, 2024 while running in Oconee Forest Park on the UGA campus and killed. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Hundreds honor Laken Riley with 5K, memorial on UGA campus

Region 5AA Championship : Holy Innocents vs. KIPP Atlanta

PHOTOS: Holy Innocents’ wins Region 5AA championship in basketball

aajc 021926 state vs. georgia southern hoops

PHOTOS: Georgia State gets by Georgia Southern

Trump visits North Georgia today but has eyes on Atlanta

PHOTOS: Trump visits Georgia, revisits 2020 election

More Galleries

Newly hired Braves manager Walt Weiss speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Walt Weiss introduced as new Braves manager

PHOTOS: Braves take on the Pirates Saturday

PHOTOS: Braves fall to Cubs, 6-1

Alerts