Craig Kimbrel is an American professional baseball player. In November 2015, Kimbrel joined the Boston Red Sox (MLB) where he plays as a pitcher. In 2011, he made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves, making an unprecedented 46 saves, the best ever by a rookie. Kimbrel was named the Braves’ top pitcher and also received the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year trophy.
From 2011 to 2014, he held the record for the most saves in the National League. Kimbrel made his 200th save in June 2015, and in May 2018 he broke the 300 save milestone, becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat.
Craig Kimbrel’s biography
Craig Michael Kimbrel was born on May 28, 1988, in Huntsville, Alabama, to Mike and Sandy Kimbrel. He was raised alongside two younger siblings, brothers Alan and Matt. He attended high school at Lee High School in Huntsville, Alabama. He can be considered a late fielder, as he didn’t make his school’s baseball team. For his college education, he received a scholarship from Wallace State Community College.
Craig Kimbrel first entered the MLB Amateur draft in 2007 where he was picked by the Atlanta Braves in Round 33. Kimbrel, however, decided to stay at Wallace State College for his sophomore year and strengthen his position as manager. . His decision ultimately paid off as he was picked up by the Braves in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft.
Career
In less than two years, Krimbel quickly progressed through the Braves farm system before finally earning his first contract with the Atlanta Braves on May 15, 2010.
Craig Krimbel recorded his major league debut against the New York Mets on September 19, 2010. He was named the team’s top pitcher at the start of the 2011 season, which would make it his first full season. On July 7, Kimbrel recorded his 27th record, breaking the previous record for most saves by a rookie before the All-Star Game. Craig Kimbrel was eventually chosen to be on the 2011 MLB All-Star Game roster.
On August 17, 2011, Kimbrel recorded his 37th career save, breaking the previous rookie record (Todd Worrell-36) for most season saves. He ended August as National League Rookie of the Month as well as MLB Delivery of the Month. The following months weren’t as impressive for Craig Kimbrel, and the Braves failed to qualify for the playoffs. However, he finished the season with 46 saves, setting a new record for most season saves by a rookie. The Baseball Writers Association of the United States also voted unanimously for the 2011 NL Rookie of the Year.
Craig Kimbrel was also selected to the 2012 All-Star Game and was in fine form throughout the season. He was the National League’s leading pitcher with 42 saves and also in terms of added win probability. Also in the 2012 season, he became the first pitcher to strike out at least half of the batters he faced in a season. He also received the 2012 National League Rolaids Relief Man Award. Krimbel spent two more seasons with the Braves before joining the San Diego Padres in April 2015. He made his 200th save on June 8 against his former team, the Braves.
After just one season with the Padres, the talented player joined the Boston Red Sox. With the Red Sox, Kimbrel had a tough 2016 season. However, he made a significant comeback in the 2017 campaign which has been called one of his most impressive. Craig Kimbrel made his 300th career save on May 5, 2018 against the Texas Rangers, becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat in fewer games (494).
Trade And Salary
Craig Krimbel joined the Atlanta Braves in the 2008 MLB Draft. In February 2014, he signed an additional four-year, $42 million contract. This deal would have seen the pitcher stay with the Braves until 2018, however, just a year later, Krimbel was traded alongside Melvin Upton Jr. by the Braves as part of a trade to the San Diego Padres. Krimbel doesn’t come cheap as the Padres had to part with outfielders like Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin, top prospects Matt Wisler and Jordan Paroubeck, as well as the 41st pick in the final standings draw. the 2015 MLB.
After just one season with the Padres, Craig Kimbrel moved to the Boston Red Sox in November 2015. It was a trade in which the Sox parted ways with Logan Allen, Carlos Asuaje, Javy Guerra and Manuel Margot. His three-year contract with the Sox saw him earn annual salaries of $11 million in 2016, $13 million in 2017, and $13 million in 2018. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2018 campaign.
wife and daughter
Craig Kimbrel is married to Ashley Holt. The duo met during their college years at Wallace State, where Ashley Holt was a member of the cheerleading team. It is unknown when they officially started dating, however, the couple got engaged in May 2012. A few months after their engagement, the couple tied the knot on December 1, 2012. On November 3, 2017, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lydia Joy. Little Lydia, however, was diagnosed with congenital heart defects. The family moved to Boston during the 2017 offseason, when their daughter Lydia underwent two surgeries at Boston Children’s Hospital to correct the defects.