45 Facts About Craig Kimbrel

Craig Michael Kimbrel was born on May 28,1988 and is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.

Craig Kimbrel previously played for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox.

Craig Kimbrel is an eight-time All-Star, two-time Reliever of the Year, and a 2018 World Series champion.

Craig Kimbrel is known for his triple-digit fastball, as well as his unique pre-pitch stare.

Craig Kimbrel was awarded the National League's 2011 Rookie of the Year Award.

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Craig Kimbrel recorded his 200th save in June 2015 with the Padres, and his 300th save in May 2018 with the Red Sox, making him the youngest pitcher in MLB history to reach the milestone.

Craig Kimbrel attended Lee High School in Huntsville, Alabama, where he played baseball and was a quarterback for the football team.

Craig Kimbrel was then taken by the Braves in the third round, with the 96th overall selection, of the 2008 MLB draft.

Craig Kimbrel got his first call-up from the Gwinnett Braves on May 15,2010, to replace the injured Jair Jurrjens on the roster.

Craig Kimbrel was called up for the second time in his career on June 4,2010, to replace Takashi Saito, who was placed on the 15-day DL.

Craig Kimbrel earned his first major league save on September 19,2010, against the New York Mets.

Craig Kimbrel made the roster to start the 2011 season as the team's primary closer.

Craig Kimbrel was successful in his first four save opportunities before blowing his first career save on April 21,2011.

On June 3,2011, in a game versus the New York Mets, Craig Kimbrel passed the record for most saves by a National League rookie before the All-Star break.

Craig Kimbrel was selected to the 2011 All Star Game during his first full season in the majors.

On July 22,2011, in a game versus the Cincinnati Reds, Craig Kimbrel broke the Braves rookie record for saves in a season.

Craig Kimbrel was named the NL Rookie of the Month and Delivery Man of the Month for August 2011.

Braves' season ended when Craig Kimbrel blew a save against the Philadelphia Phillies in the last game of the season.

Craig Kimbrel ended the season tied for the National League lead with 46 saves—surpassing the previous rookie record of 40, set by Feliz in 2010—and led major league relievers with 127 strikeouts in 77 innings.

On November 14, the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced the results of their 2011 National League Rookie of the Year vote; Craig Kimbrel received all 32 first-place ballots—the first unanimous selection since 2001 winner Albert Pujols—for 160 points.

Craig Kimbrel was named the Players Choice Awards NL Outstanding Rookie by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Craig Kimbrel won the Delivery Man of the Month Award for September 2012.

Craig Kimbrel led the National League with 42 saves and Win Probability Added among pitchers.

Craig Kimbrel finished fifth in the 2012 National League Cy Young Award voting, and eighth in the 2012 National League MVP voting.

Craig Kimbrel began the 2013 season with three blown saves during his first nine save opportunities, tying his personal record for blown saves during the entire 2012 season.

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Nonetheless, on May 9,2013, in a game against the San Francisco Giants, Craig Kimbrel earned his 100th save making him the second youngest player in MLB history to reach that mark.

Craig Kimbrel surpassed John Smoltz's Braves record of 27 consecutive saves on August 17,2013.

Craig Kimbrel won the Delivery Man of the Year Award and was voted the "GIBBY Awards" Closer of the Year – by the fans, media, team front-office personnel, former players, and SABR.

On February 16,2014, Craig Kimbrel agreed to a four-year, $42 million extension with the Braves that ran through 2017, with an option for 2018.

On June 6,2014, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 155th save in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, surpassing John Smoltz as the new franchise leader in saves.

Craig Kimbrel became the third pitcher to reach that single-season milestone in four straight seasons.

Craig Kimbrel led the National League with 47 saves, becoming the first pitcher to lead the NL in saves for four consecutive seasons since Bruce Sutter.

Craig Kimbrel became the fastest pitcher ever to reach that milestone, taking only 318 games to do so.

On May 11,2017, against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park, Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth inning on nine consecutive pitches, joining Pedro Martinez and Clay Buchholz as the only pitchers in franchise history to accomplish this feat, commonly referred to as an immaculate inning.

Two weeks later, Craig Kimbrel recorded a second four-strikeout inning while facing the Texas Rangers.

Craig Kimbrel achieved this milestone in fewer games, fewer save opportunities, and at a younger age than any other pitcher.

On July 8, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 27th save of the season, and was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game.

Craig Kimbrel did not sign with any teams during the off-season, remaining a free agent into the 2019 season.

On June 7,2019, Craig Kimbrel signed with the Chicago Cubs on a three-year contract, reportedly worth $43 million.

On June 24,2021, Craig Kimbrel pitched a combined no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, and Andrew Chafin.

Craig Kimbrel was named the closer for Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Craig Kimbrel uses a combination of a four-seam fastball and a power curveball to get outs.

Matt Craig Kimbrel played baseball in the Braves minor league system for three seasons before being released.

Craig Kimbrel married former Wallace State cheerleader Ashley Holt in 2012.

Craig Kimbrel was born with heart defects and has undergone two surgeries.

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