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Craig Kimbrel and his path in 2012
Having the same dominant closer for many years is a luxury that a mid-market team basically cannot afford — honestly, considering how few dominant closers are able to keep their stuff for more than a few years, it’s a luxury that hardly anyone can afford. The Braves have been very fortunate to have a revolving […]
Keep ReadingCarp, Kimbrel named Rookies of Month
On a team laden with talented rookies, the Mariners' Mike Carp stood out in August, and he was named the American League's Rookie of the Month on Tuesday. In the National League, Braves closer Craig Kimbrel received the award for the second time this season, after also taking it home in June. He's one of […]
Keep ReadingThe dominance of Craig Kimbrel
Jonny Venters could be a closer but really doesn't care about it, partly because he's in awe of the guy who has the job for the Braves, Craig Kimbrel. See, Venters once played catch with Kimbrel and was overwhelmed by the pure stuff. "The guy is ridiculous," Venters said earlier this season, grinning. Kimbrel's surface-level […]
Keep ReadingAtlanta Braves Phenom Kimbrel gets 41st save, keeps rollin’
We’ve said it a lot, but it bears repeating: Craig Kimbrel’s first full season in the majors has surpassed all reasonable expectations. Sheer dominance is what we’ve witnessed from a 23-year-old whose stuff is the epitome of what folks in the game call “electric.” The rookie closer has met or exceeded the soaring 2010 performance […]
Keep ReadingKimbrel’s run has been something to behold
On the way to converting his 40th save Tuesday night to tie the major league rookie record and extend his ridiculously long scoreless streak, Craig Kimbrel gave up a bloop hit to Aramis Ramirez with two out in the ninth inning. It was a pitch Kimbrel said was located poorly and could have been hit […]
Keep ReadingOverpowering Kimbrel matches rookie saves record
His early-season inconsistency seems a fading memory now, as Braves rookie Craig Kimbrel has become baseball’s most dominant closer. The baby-faced flamethrower converted his 40th save Tuesday in a 5-4 win against the Chicago Cubs, matching the major league rookie saves record set last season by Neftali Feliz of the Texas Rangers. Kimbrel has not […]
Keep ReadingAtlanta Braves Kimbrel hits 1-0-0 on Turner Field radar gun
For all the numbers Braves closer Craig Kimbrel is racking up these days – how about this one? The kid went triple digits. Kimbrel threw a 100 mph fastball to Justin Upton in the ninth inning of his save Friday night, according to the radar gun at Turner Field. His 0-1 four-seam fastball registered 100 […]
Keep ReadingKimbrel's attitude makes him cut above rest
As they were preparing to introduce Craig Kimbrel to his first Major League Spring Training in 2010, members of the Braves organization were referring to him as "the right-handed Billy Wagner." It was a convenient comparison, given that Atlanta had just signed Wagner to serve as its closer. Those who had already seen Kimbrel understood […]
Keep ReadingKimbrel, Freeman act out at Fan Cave
Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman said it was a tough gig. And they weren't talking about any race for Rookie of the Year, which, frankly, they won't discuss at all. When the Braves asked them to be at something called MLB Fan Cave at 11:30 ET Friday morning, nobody told these naïve rookies they would […]
Keep ReadingCraig Kimbrel to replace Matt Cain on National League All-Star roster
National League All-Star manager Bruce Bochy has named Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel to the roster to replace San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain. Cain was San Francisco's starting pitcher in tonight's game with the New York Mets. In accordance with the rule that makes Sunday's starting pitchers ineligible to pitch in Tuesday's Midsummer […]
Keep ReadingKimbrel Makes It Five Braves All-Stars
The Braves will have five All-Star representatives for the second consecutive year. National League manager Bruce Bochy named relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel to the team to replace San Francisco's Matt Cain, who started the Giants final game before the break Sunday night against the New York Mets. Kimbrel, 23, set a Major League rookie record […]
Keep ReadingHuntsville's Craig Kimbrel named to National League All-Star team as replacement pitcher
Craig Kimbrel stood at his locker in the Braves' clubhouse last Thursday afternoon, answering the question he had answered dozens of times before. "If it happens, that's fine. If it doesn't, that's fine. I'll go home and see my family," he said when queried about the possibility he'd receive a late invitation to the Major […]
Keep ReadingKimbrel joins Braves' crew of NL All-Stars
Craig Kimbrel had to wait a little longer than he might have hoped, but the Braves' rookie closer learned Sunday night that he has indeed gained his first All-Star selection. Kimbrel was added to the National League's pitching staff after Matt Cain made his scheduled start Sunday night and consequently made himself unavailable to pitch […]
Keep ReadingCraig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves Voted Winner of the Gillette Presents National League Rookie of the Month
Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel has been voted the June recipient of the Gillette presents National League Rookie of the Month Award. Kimbrel went 1-0 with eight saves and a 1.93 ERA in June over 14 apperances. In 14.0 innings pitched, the 23-year-old right-hander permitted three runs on seven hits with five walks and 25 […]
Keep ReadingKimbrel earns NL Rookie of Month honors
Braves closer Craig Kimbrel's 1-0 record, eight saves and a 1.93 ERA in 14 appearances in June earned the right-hander the Gillette Presents National League Rookie of the Month Award, the league announced on Tuesday. Kimbrel, who was selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, received the distinction […]
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