In the thick of baseball action Friday, Philadelphia Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel etched his name in the annals of Major League Baseball history by recording his 400th career save against the Atlanta Braves .
This exceptional achievement has enabled Craig Kimbrel to join the elite group of eight players who have achieved this milestone in MLB history.
Among active pitchers, Craig Kimbrel is second only to Boston Red Sox Kenley Jansen, who narrowly preceded him in hitting the 400 save mark earlier this month. Legendary figures such as Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), Francisco Rodríguez (437), John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422) are the main names on this list.
In the current landscape, Aroldis Chapman of the Kansas City Royals trails Kimbrel with 317 saves, followed by Mark Melancon of the Diamondbacks (262) and Edwin Díaz of the New York Mets (205).
Kimbrel’s resurgence in the Phillies
The Phillies signed Craig Kimbrel not as their designated closer, but over time he became one of the team’s most reliable relievers. That speaks volumes about Kimbrel’s resilience, as he has now returned to throwing at 96 and 97 mph and attacking batters relentlessly, despite a turbulent 2022 season that ended with his removal from the playoff roster. Dodgers.
Kimbrel, who turns 35 on Sunday, signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies in January despite struggling late in 2022 and a 3.75 ERA in 60 innings with the Dodgers.
The Phillies trusted his abilities, making him their highest-paid reliever for the 2023 bullpen. In 18 innings this year for the Phillies, Kimbrel delivered a 6.00 ERA and a 1 WHIP, 33 with 30 strikeouts.
The Craig Kimbrel Approach: A Recipe for Success
A distinct feature of Craig Kimbrel’s career is his reliance on just two pitches – a testament to his consistency and unwavering confidence in his abilities.
At a time when the traditional role of the closer in baseball is being challenged and the importance of the ninth inning is downplayed, Kimbrel has held firm. His ability to handle pressure, especially in the ninth inning, underscores his elite status.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson paid tribute to Craig Kimbrel’s historic achievement, highlighting his work ethic, health and tenacity. He underscored the mental toughness needed to successfully come close and applauded Kimbrel for overcoming career lows and bouncing back stronger. In Thomson’s words, Craig Kimbrel has been “a great teammate and guy to be around.”
Projections futures
Given his recent performance and speed improvements, expectations are high for Craig Kimbrel for the rest of the season. His recent dominance on the mound, coupled with achieving this milestone, not only cements his legacy in MLB history, but also opens the door to future opportunities and accomplishments.
2023-05-27 08:17:15
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