Is Craig Kimbrel for real?

[Gman]

He's averaging 16ks/9in this year over a 3 level jump. He averaged 14ks/9 last year. I know he had one horrible rough patch a MB where he walked like 19 guys in a 10 inning stretch of appearances. But he turned it around and put up an exceptional month at MB then got promoted to AA. So far in AA he's had 6 appearances and not allowed a run while striking out 12 in 7 innings.

He must have something nasty to go with a big fastball to get those kind of Ks. 95ks in 53 innings. Sheesh. Those look like a blue chippers high school stats. Wouldn't be surprised if Wren's trip to Mississippi included taking a look at Kimbrel just to see if he could provide a late season shot in the arm for the pen this year.

What does kimbrel throw?

[Rynliquid]

I was fairly ecstatic when the Braves drafted Kimbrell - his stock had been rising steadily throughout the pre-draft process and I thought the Braves really got a steal nabbing him where they did.

Mid-90's fastball and a NASTY slider - Smoltzesque is the comparison I like to use.

Meet your future closer.

[Dreamscape]

When I saw him earlier this year with the Pelicans, he was nasty. Granted, the Hillcats then (just after Pedro Alverex was promoted) had no real offense, but they couldn't touch him and he had great movement. I remember him getting grief because the Pelicans were winning huge (behind the Freeman/Heyward connection) and he was still bringing the heat when I guess the drunkerds thought he should just lob it in there.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

Braves Closer and control issues go hand in hand...Wholers,Rocker,Gonzo have all had there issues so he'd he'd seem to fit right in

[Rynliquid]

Has nothing to do with being a closer on the Braves as it is closers in general. Put any pitcher in a close and late situation, mix in a pinch hitter and you're going to get sometimes erratic results.

Everyone wants their closer to perform like a Rivera or Hoffman only those types of closers are few and far between.

I'll settle for a Lidge.

[FloBrave01]

The "good" news is that his control issues lie outside the zone instead of inside of it (a la Acosta).

[george.mikal]

thanks brave for sharing link here...