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Atlanta Braves free agent profile: Craig Kimbrel

By Benjamin Chase

CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 7: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 7, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 7: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 7, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 08: Relief pitcher Craig Kimbrrel #46 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on May 8, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Father Craig

Craig was only with the Padres for one season, 2015. That season remains the only season that Kimbrel has missed the All-Star game in his career. He dipped to 39 saves, the first season he had not led the league in saves.

The 2015 season was the highest hit rate of Kimbrel’s career, allowing 6.1 hits per 9 innings. Just over seven months after acquiring him, the Padres traded Kimbrel to the Boston Red Sox for a package of four players.

Craig goes Red (Sox) Beard

His first season in Boston was “rough”, as Kimbrel put up a 3.40 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, both career highs. He suffered through a knee injury, something that would become more of a nagging issue. Whether it’s been the knee or other injuries or what it is, Kimbrel has allowed his two highest home runs allowed totals in the last two seasons.

In 2017, Kimbrel bounced back well from his 2016 rough season, posting a 1.43 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and posted an incredible 14/126 BB/K over just 69 innings.

Kimbrel in history

After 8 full seasons and 9 total seasons in the major leagues, Kimbrel has tallied up statistics that rank him among the best all-time relievers.

Right now, Kimbrel is the active leader in saves with 333 and second place among active pitchers in games finished with 449. All-time, Kimbrel has already cracked the top 15 in saves (#14) and top 50 in games finished (#48). He’s #30 among all relievers in history in bWAR.

Based on a probable 3-4 year contract, Kimbrel has a chance to move into the top 10 in bWAR among relievers. If he would average 35 saves over 4 years, he would move to #4 all-time in saves, and averaging 40 saves over those same 4 years would put him at #3. Finishing 50 games per season over that 4 years would move Kimbrel already to the #12 spot on the all-time list. Averaging 55 games per season over those 4 seasons would bring him to #10 on that list.

So with a chance to have Kimbrel on the team for historical moves up all-time lists, what would be the concern for bringing him in?

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