Rookie Craig Kimbrel, Already the Best Atlanta Reliever Ever?
Craig Kimbrel has already made a name for himself among the best rookie closers of all time. With an over powering mid to upper 90-s fastball and a power slider to boot, Kimbrel has taken the Brave nation by storm with his ability to set down the opposing team in order when on the mound. Kimbrel recently set the major league record for number of saves as a rookie at 41, previously set by Neftali Perez in 2010 with 40 saves.
Kimbrel has been touted as a high powered closer since he began his career in the Braves minor league programs. Where as many stud relievers begin as starters and move into relief as their career progresses so there isn-t too much initial over-exertion on the young players arms, Kimbrel jumped into the closer’s role with a high level of success.
Kimbrel is known as a pitcher that doesn-t get himself into too much trouble by walking opponents, much like former Braves, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. Many will argue any one of these three pitchers could amount to the best Atlanta pitcher of all time. These three pitchers got the most out of their ability and pitched well into their later years. Craig Kimbrel is rocking and rolling out on the mound right now and with continued consistency and injury free years, there is no reason he can-t be considered the best Atlanta pitcher of all time when his career is over.
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