Orioles Closer Climbs Elite List with Historic Achievements

Orioles Closer Craig Kimbrel Climbs List of Elite Closers

Kimbrel gave up one hit to Kyle Isbel in his Orioles debut and retired 15 batters without a hit before allowing two singles on Sunday.

“1-2-3 feels good every time,” said Kimbrel, who has 11 strikeouts in six innings this season.

He is one of six pitchers in major league history to record 1,000 strikeouts without a single career start. On Thursday, Kimbrel became the first and only pitcher to reach 1,200 strikeouts without a career start. Including his three strikeouts on Sunday, Kimbrel has struck out 1,203 batters throughout his 15-year career in the majors. Kimbrel’s 980 career ninth-inning strikeouts is the MLB record for most career strikeouts in a given inning.

Kimbrel’s Save History

Kimbrel began his career with the Atlanta Braves in 2010, becoming their full-time closer in 2011. In his rookie season, Kimbrel’s 46 saves set the MLB record for most saves by a rookie. He was named an All-Star and was awarded the National League Rookie of the Year in 2011. Kimbrel led the National League in saves for four consecutive seasons (2011-14) and is a two-time Reliever of the Year. While in Boston, Kimbrel won the World Series and became the youngest pitcher in MLB history to record 300 career saves.

Even though his velocity isn’t what it was early in his 15-year career, Kimbrel is still one of the league’s best closers. He has yet to walk a batter and has given up just one run in six appearances with the Orioles. Craig Kimbrel is one of baseball’s most accomplished pitchers and has been a worthy replacement for the injured Bautista.

“I’m happy with how it’s playing,” Kimbrel said. “Right now, I’m just out there pitching, and I’m trying to miss bats still, no matter what the velocity is. I mean, I’m getting guys out with spin. Overall, the way the ball is coming out of my hand, I like it.”