Craig Kimbrel Bio
Craig Michael Kimbrel, born on May 28, 1988, in Huntsville, Alabama, is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in Major League Baseball (MLB). Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation as one of the most dominant closers of his generation, recording 440 career saves. A nine-time MLB All-Star and four-time Reliever of the Year, Kimbrel won a World Series championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2018 and was named the 2011 National League (NL) Rookie of the Year. He is currently signed with the Tampa Bay Rays after spending the 2025 and 2026 seasons moving through several organizations in a journeyman role.
Internationally, Kimbrel represented the United States in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where he served as the closer for Team USA. Known for his powerful fastball and sharp curveball, he has remained a respected veteran presence in clubhouses across both the National and American Leagues.
Early Life and Background
Craig Michael Kimbrel was born on May 28, 1988, in Huntsville, Alabama, to parents Mike Kimbrel and Sandy Kimbrel. He grew up in a sports-oriented household and attended Lee High School, where he was a two-sport standout. In addition to pitching for the baseball team, Kimbrel played quarterback for the school’s football team. His high school teammates included fellow pitcher Buddy Boshers, who would also go on to play professional baseball.
Following high school, Kimbrel enrolled at Wallace State Community College in Alabama to continue his baseball development. As a freshman in 2007, he posted an 8–0 win–loss record with a 1.99 earned run average (ERA), serving as both a closer and a spot starter. The Atlanta Braves selected him in the 33rd round of the 2007 MLB Draft, but he chose to return to Wallace State to strengthen his draft stock. His strong sophomore campaign, in which he went 9–3 with a 2.88 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 81 innings, helped him rise into a much higher selection the following year.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Atlanta Braves selected Kimbrel in the third round, with the 96th overall pick, of the 2008 MLB Draft. He quickly moved through Atlanta’s minor league system, developing the power arm and breaking curveball that would later define his major league identity. By 2010, he was named the closer of the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves and earned his first major league call-up in mid-May of that year.
Kimbrel’s promotion to the major leagues came as a replacement for injured starter Jair Jurrjens, and he made an immediate impact. He earned his first MLB save on September 19, 2010, against the New York Mets, finishing his rookie season with a 0.44 ERA across 20 and two-thirds innings. That brief taste of the majors set the stage for what would become a record-setting 2011 campaign.
Craig Kimbrel Career
Early Career (2010–2014)
Kimbrel’s first full season in the majors came in 2011, when he took over as the Atlanta Braves’ primary closer. He was a revelation, recording 46 saves and winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award as a unanimous selection, the first unanimous rookie winner since Albert Pujols in 2001. Kimbrel’s 2011 campaign was historic; he set the MLB rookie record for saves and helped lead the Braves’ bullpen to one of the most dominant seasons in franchise history.
Over the next three seasons, Kimbrel continued to dominate. He led the National League in saves for four consecutive years from 2011 through 2014 and earned All-Star honors in each of those seasons. In 2013, he recorded his 50th save of the season, becoming just the 11th pitcher in MLB history to reach that mark, and he captured the Delivery Man of the Year Award. By the time he departed Atlanta, Kimbrel had established himself as the franchise’s all-time saves leader.
Atlanta Braves Breakthrough (2010–2014)
Kimbrel’s rise to stardom in Atlanta was meteoric. In 2011, he posted a 1.01 ERA, struck out 127 batters in 77 innings, and became the fastest Braves pitcher to reach 100 career strikeouts. He was the central figure in the Braves’ bullpen and was voted to his first All-Star Game as a rookie, a rare feat for a relief pitcher. His 38 and one-third consecutive scoreless innings during the 2011 season made him one of the most unhittable closers in baseball.
Following the 2013 season, Kimbrel agreed to a four-year, $42 million contract extension with the Braves, underscoring his value to the organization. In 2014, he surpassed John Smoltz as the franchise’s all-time saves leader and became the first pitcher to lead the National League in saves for four straight seasons since Bruce Sutter in the early 1980s. Despite the team’s collapse in September 2011, Kimbrel’s individual brilliance was undeniable, and his time in Atlanta cemented his status as one of baseball’s premier closers.
San Diego Padres Era (2015)
In April 2015, Kimbrel was traded to the San Diego Padres in a multi-player deal. Although his lone season in San Diego was statistically strong, including 39 saves and a 2.58 ERA, the Padres finished well out of contention. Kimbrel recorded his 200th career save during the season, becoming the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach that milestone in just 318 games.
Boston Red Sox Era (2016–2018)
On November 13, 2015, Kimbrel was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He was named an All-Star in 2016 before suffering a knee injury that required surgery, limiting his second-half availability. He rebounded in 2017 with a 1.43 ERA and 35 saves, earning AL Reliever of the Year honors, and recorded an immaculate inning against the Milwaukee Brewers, striking out three batters on nine pitches.
The 2018 season was the pinnacle of Kimbrel’s Red Sox tenure. He reached his 300th career save in May 2018, becoming the youngest pitcher in MLB history to do so, and recorded 42 saves with a 2.74 ERA during the regular season. In the postseason, he saved six games as the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the 2018 World Series. Following the championship, Kimbrel declined Boston’s qualifying offer and became a free agent.
Chicago Cubs Era (2019–2021)
Kimbrel signed a three-year, $43 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in June 2019, though his first season in Chicago was marred by injuries and inconsistency. After a shortened 2020 campaign affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kimbrel returned to form in 2021. On June 24, 2021, he was part of a combined no-hitter against the Dodgers alongside Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, and Andrew Chafin.
Chicago White Sox Era (2021)
On July 30, 2021, the Cubs traded Kimbrel to the Chicago White Sox. Moved out of the closer role, he posted a 5.09 ERA in 24 regular season appearances. His struggles continued into the playoffs, where he recorded a 9.00 ERA in three games. The White Sox ultimately declined to bring him back for 2022, trading him to the Dodgers that April.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2022)
Kimbrel spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being acquired from the White Sox in a trade for A. J. Pollock. He appeared in 63 games and recorded 22 saves, but his 3.75 ERA and loss of the closer role marked a difficult campaign. He did not appear in the postseason for Los Angeles.
Philadelphia Phillies Era (2023)
Kimbrel signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the 2023 season. On May 26, 2023, he recorded his 400th career save, becoming the eighth pitcher in MLB history to reach that milestone. He was named NL Reliever of the Month for June 2023. However, his postseason was rocky; he took losses in Games 3 and 4 of the NL Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, including a blown save in Game 4. He became a free agent after the season.
Baltimore Orioles Era (2024)
In December 2023, Kimbrel signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He made 57 appearances and recorded 23 saves, but his time in Baltimore ended on a difficult note. After allowing six runs in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants on September 17, he was designated for assignment and subsequently released by the Orioles on September 24, 2024.
Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and Houston Astros Era (2025)
Kimbrel returned to the Atlanta Braves organization on a minor league contract in March 2025, but he appeared in just one major league game before being designated for assignment. He later signed with the Texas Rangers, pitching in Triple-A Round Rock, and was released in August 2025. Days later, he signed a major league deal with the Houston Astros, where he appeared in 13 games and posted a 2.45 ERA without recording a save, as the team used Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu in the ninth inning.
New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays Era (2026)
In January 2026, Kimbrel signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. After beginning the year in Triple-A Syracuse, he was added to the major league roster in April 2026. He struggled in 14 appearances, posting a 6.00 ERA, and was designated for assignment in May 2026. He cleared waivers and elected free agency before signing a major league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays on May 26, 2026. He was briefly placed on the injured list with wrist soreness before being reactivated in mid-June 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kimbrel has long been recognized for his overpowering fastball, which averaged 97 to 98 miles per hour at his prime and occasionally reached 101 miles per hour, paired with a devastating power curveball thrown in the mid-to-upper 80s. His curveball’s whiff rate has consistently ranked among the highest in baseball. Over the years, he has also added a sweeper and a rarely used changeup to his arsenal, while his pre-pitch stance, nicknamed the "Kimbrel" or "Spider Arms," has become iconic in its own right.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kimbrel’s most celebrated milestones are his 200th save in 2015, his 300th save in 2018, and his 400th save in 2023, with the latter making him the eighth pitcher in MLB history to reach the mark. He set the MLB rookie save record in 2011, was a unanimous NL Rookie of the Year, and was a key contributor to the Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series championship run.
Craig Kimbrel Career Wins
Craig Kimbrel’s career has been defined by his work as a closer rather than a traditional win-loss pitcher. Across his MLB career, he has recorded 440 saves, including 46 in his record-setting 2011 rookie season. He has been one of the most reliable ninth-inning options in baseball, converting the majority of his save opportunities and earning four Reliever of the Year awards.
MLB Save Highlights
Kimbrel’s first MLB save came on September 19, 2010, against the New York Mets. His most recent save activity came during his stints with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. Among his most memorable individual performances were his 50-save season in 2013, his immaculate inning in 2017, and his historic 300th and 400th career saves.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond saves, Kimbrel has contributed as a setup reliever during stretches with the Dodgers, White Sox, and Astros. His combined no-hitter with the Cubs in 2021 stands as one of the most unique achievements of his career. He also represented the United States in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Craig Kimbrel Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Craig Michael Kimbrel was raised in Huntsville, Alabama, by his parents, Mike Kimbrel and Sandy Kimbrel. He has two brothers, including Matt Kimbrel, who played baseball in the Atlanta Braves minor league system for three seasons. The family’s athletic background helped shape Kimbrel’s early path in sports.
Personal Life
Kimbrel married his wife, Ashley Holt, a former Wallace State cheerleader, in 2012. The couple has two children. Their oldest daughter was born on November 3, 2017, with heart defects and has undergone two surgeries. Kimbrel is a born-again Christian, and his faith has been a central part of his public life.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a turbulent one for Kimbrel, who spent time with three different organizations. He began the year with a minor league contract in the Atlanta Braves system, pitching at the Double-A and Triple-A levels before a brief one-game return to the major league roster in June, after which he was designated for assignment. He then joined the Texas Rangers organization, where he pitched in Triple-A Round Rock but did not earn a major league call-up before his release in August 2025.
Kimbrel’s fortunes turned when he signed a major league contract with the Houston Astros on August 22, 2025. Across 13 appearances with Houston, he posted a 2.45 ERA and struck out 16 batters in 11 innings of work. However, the Astros used Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu as their primary closers, meaning Kimbrel did not record a save in a Houston uniform.
Following the 2025 season, Kimbrel once again reached free agency. His ability to contribute as a late-inning reliever, even in a reduced role, kept him in demand as he prepared for the 2026 campaign.
