History of Craig Kimbrel in Timeline
Craig Kimbrel is a prominent American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the New York Mets. Renowned for his role as a closer, he boasts an impressive MLB career including stints with the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and Houston Astros. Kimbrel's accolades feature nine All-Star selections, four Reliever of the Year awards, and a World Series title in 2018. He has also represented the United States internationally, further cementing his status as a decorated athlete.
1954: Gene Conley and Hank Aaron Finish in Top Five
In the 1954 season, Gene Conley was voted third-best rookie and Hank Aaron came in fourth, marking only the other time two Braves finished in the top five.
May 28, 1988: Craig Kimbrel's Birth
On May 28, 1988, Craig Michael Kimbrel was born. He would grow up to become a professional baseball pitcher.
1989: Teammates Finish First and Second in Balloting
In 1989, Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith of the Chicago Cubs finished first and second in the balloting, making them teammates to take the top two spots.
1993: Reference to Mitch Williams in 1993 World Series
In 2023 National League Championship Series, Kimbrel became the first Phillies pitcher to lose back-to-back appearances in the playoffs since Mitch Williams in the 1993 World Series.
2001: Albert Pujols Rookie of the Year Award
In 2001, Albert Pujols won the Rookie of the Year Award.
2002: Pitching Statistics
Kimbrel is also tied for third among all pitchers from 2002 to 2012 in the highest percentage of pitches that resulted in swinging strikes.
2007: Wallace State Community College Performance
In 2007, as a freshman at Wallace State Community College, Craig Kimbrel had an 8–0 win–loss record with a 1.99 ERA, serving as the team's closer and a spot starter.
2007: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves
In 2007, the Atlanta Braves selected Craig Kimbrel in the 33rd round of the MLB draft, but he chose to stay at Wallace State to improve his draft position.
2008: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves
In 2008, Craig Kimbrel was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the third round, with the 96th overall selection.
2008: Wallace State Community College Performance
In 2008, at Wallace State Community College, Craig Kimbrel had a 9–3 record with a 2.88 ERA, striking out 123 hitters in 81 innings mainly as a reliever.
May 15, 2010: First MLB Call-Up
On May 15, 2010, Craig Kimbrel received his first call-up from the Gwinnett Braves to replace the injured Jair Jurrjens.
June 4, 2010: Second MLB Call-Up
On June 4, 2010, Craig Kimbrel was called up to the majors for the second time in his career, replacing Takashi Saito.
September 19, 2010: First Major League Save
On September 19, 2010, Craig Kimbrel earned his first major league save against the New York Mets.
April 21, 2011: First Career Save Blown
On April 21, 2011, Craig Kimbrel blew his first career save opportunity.
June 3, 2011: Most Saves by a National League Rookie
On June 3, 2011, Craig Kimbrel surpassed the record for most saves by a National League rookie before the All-Star break, in a game versus the New York Mets. He is also the fastest Braves pitcher to reach 100 career strikeouts.
July 22, 2011: Braves Rookie Record for Saves
On July 22, 2011, Craig Kimbrel broke the Braves rookie record for saves in a season (31) in a game against the Cincinnati Reds.
August 9, 2011: Tied National League Rookie Record for Saves
On August 9, 2011, Craig Kimbrel tied the National League rookie record for saves in a season, which was 36 held by Todd Worrell.
August 2011: NL Rookie of the Month and Delivery Man of the Month
In August 2011, Craig Kimbrel was named the NL Rookie of the Month and Delivery Man of the Month.
August 17, 2011: Broke National League Rookie Record for Saves
On August 17, 2011, Craig Kimbrel broke the National League rookie record for saves in a game versus the San Francisco Giants.
August 21, 2011: 100th Strikeout and 39th Save
On August 21, 2011, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 100th strikeout which coincided with his 39th save of the season and a string of 30+2⁄3 innings without yielding a run.
August 23, 2011: Tied Rookie Save Record
On August 23, 2011, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 40th save, tying Neftalí Feliz's rookie save record.
September 9, 2011: Scoreless Inning Streak Ends
On September 9, 2011, Craig Kimbrel's scoreless inning streak came to an end after 38+1⁄3 innings.
2011: Rookie of the Year Award
In 2011, Craig Kimbrel was named the Atlanta Braves' closer, set an MLB rookie record with 46 saves, and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He also led the NL in saves for four consecutive seasons (2011-2014).
2011: Selected to the All-Star Game
In 2011, Craig Kimbrel was selected to the All-Star Game during his first full season in the majors, chosen as a replacement for Giants pitcher Matt Cain by San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy.
2011: Unanimous Rookie of the Year
In 2011, Craig Kimbrel was unanimously selected as the National League Rookie of the Year, receiving all 32 first-place ballots.
2011: Kimbrel's Fastball Ranking
In the 2011 season, Kimbrel's four-seam fastball was the 12th-fastest among Major League relievers and he threw the hardest curveball, averaging 87 miles per hour (140 km/h).
September 2012: Delivery Man of the Month Award
In September 2012, Craig Kimbrel won the Delivery Man of the Month Award. He also struck out four batters in the ninth inning on September 26, 2012.
2012: Dominant 2012 Season
Craig Kimbrel had a dominant 2012 season, leading the National League with 42 saves, striking out 116 batters in 62+2⁄3 innings, and finishing with a 1.01 ERA. He also won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award and finished fifth in the Cy Young Award voting and eighth in the MVP voting.
2012: Kimbrel's Stats with the Braves
In 2012, Kimbrel did not surrender a lead-off double all year with the Braves.
2012: Marriage to Ashley Holt
In 2012, Kimbrel married Ashley Holt, a former Wallace State cheerleader.
2012: Pitching Statistics
Kimbrel is also tied for third among all pitchers from 2002 to 2012 in the highest percentage of pitches that resulted in swinging strikes.
May 9, 2013: 100th Career Save
On May 9, 2013, Craig Kimbrel earned his 100th save, making him the second youngest player in MLB history to reach that mark.
July 27, 2013: Third 30-Save Season
On July 27, 2013, with a save against the Cardinals, Craig Kimbrel became only the second Atlanta pitcher after John Smoltz to have three 30-save seasons.
August 17, 2013: Braves Record of Consecutive Saves
On August 17, 2013, Craig Kimbrel surpassed John Smoltz's Braves record of 27 consecutive saves.
2013: Played in the 2013 World Baseball Classic
In 2013, Kimbrel was named the closer for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and was the losing pitcher against the Dominican Republic.
February 16, 2014: Contract Extension with the Braves
On February 16, 2014, Craig Kimbrel agreed to a four-year, $42 million extension with the Braves that ran through 2017, with an option for 2018.
April 25, 2014: Fastest Pitcher to Reach 400 Strikeouts
On April 25, 2014, Craig Kimbrel became the fastest pitcher ever to reach 400 strikeouts, achieving the mark in 236 innings.
June 6, 2014: Franchise Leader in Saves
On June 6, 2014, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 155th save in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, surpassing John Smoltz as the new franchise leader in saves.
August 29, 2014: 40th Save of the Season
On August 29, 2014, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 40th save of the season, becoming the third pitcher to reach that single-season milestone in four straight seasons.
2014: Led NL in Saves
Craig Kimbrel led the NL in saves for four consecutive seasons (2011–2014).
April 5, 2015: Traded to the San Diego Padres
On April 5, 2015, Craig Kimbrel was traded to the San Diego Padres along with Melvin Upton, Jr., in exchange for Carlos Quentin, Cameron Maybin, Matt Wisler, Jordan Paroubeck, and a draft pick.
June 2015: 200th Career Save
In June 2015, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 200th career save while playing for the San Diego Padres.
November 13, 2015: Traded to the Boston Red Sox
On November 13, 2015, the Padres traded Craig Kimbrel to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Manuel Margot, Javy Guerra, Carlos Asuaje, and Logan Allen.
July 8, 2016: Knee Injury
On July 8, 2016, Craig Kimbrel injured his knee during warmups, leading to a diagnosis of a torn medial meniscus and requiring surgery.
May 11, 2017: Immaculate Inning
On May 11, 2017, Craig Kimbrel struck out the side on nine consecutive pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers, achieving an immaculate inning.
November 3, 2017: Birth of daughter
On November 3, 2017, Kimbrel's oldest daughter was born with heart defects and underwent two surgeries.
May 5, 2018: 300th Career Save
On May 5, 2018, Craig Kimbrel recorded his 300th career save, achieving this milestone in fewer games, fewer save opportunities, and at a younger age than any other pitcher.
May 2018: 300th Career Save
In May 2018, Craig Kimbrel, playing for the Red Sox, achieved his 300th career save, becoming the youngest pitcher in MLB history to reach this milestone.
2018: 2018 World Series Champion
In 2018, Craig Kimbrel won the World Series. He also represented the United States internationally.
June 7, 2019: Signed with the Chicago Cubs
On June 7, 2019, Craig Kimbrel signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, with the deal reportedly worth $43 million.
August 5, 2019: Placed on IL for knee inflammation
On August 5, 2019, Kimbrel was placed on the injured list (IL) due to inflammation in his knee.
August 18, 2019: Reactivated from IL
On August 18, 2019, Craig Kimbrel was reactivated from the injured list to bolster the Chicago Cubs' bullpen.
2020: 2020 Season Performance
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Kimbrel's performance included a 0–1 record, a 5.28 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and 12 walks across 15+1⁄3 innings.
May 26, 2021: Advanced to 11th on all-time saves list
On May 26, 2021, Kimbrel moved up to 11th place on the all-time saves list after the Cubs' 4–1 victory over the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
June 24, 2021: Pitched a combined no-hitter
On June 24, 2021, Craig Kimbrel, along with Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, and Andrew Chafin, pitched a combined no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
July 30, 2021: Traded to the Chicago White Sox
On July 30, 2021, Kimbrel was traded by the Cubs to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer.
April 1, 2022: Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
On April 1, 2022, the White Sox traded Kimbrel to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for A. J. Pollock.
2022: White Sox exercised Kimbrel's option
On November 22, the White Sox exercised Craig Kimbrel's $16 million option for the 2022 season.
January 4, 2023: Signed with the Philadelphia Phillies
On January 4, 2023, Kimbrel signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
May 26, 2023: 400th Career Save
On May 26, 2023, Craig Kimbrel became the eighth major-league pitcher to achieve 400 career saves.
December 6, 2023: Signed with the Baltimore Orioles
On December 6, 2023, Kimbrel signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles, including a club option for the 2025 season.
2023: Losses in NLCS Games 3 and 4
In the 2023 National League Championship Series, Kimbrel was the losing pitcher in Games 3 and 4, contributing to Phillies' losses.
September 18, 2024: Designated for assignment by Orioles
On September 18, 2024, Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles, following a game where he allowed six runs in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants.
March 19, 2025: Signed minor league contract with Atlanta Braves
On March 19, 2025, Kimbrel signed a minor league contract to return to the Atlanta Braves organization.
June 10, 2025: Signed minor league contract with Texas Rangers
On June 10, 2025, Kimbrel signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.
August 22, 2025: Signed major league contract with Houston Astros
On August 22, 2025, Kimbrel signed a major league contract with the Houston Astros.
2025: Orioles club option for 2025 season.
On December 6, 2023, Kimbrel signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles, including a club option for the 2025 season.
January 24, 2026: Signed minor league contract with the New York Mets
On January 24, 2026, Kimbrel signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.
April 2026: Career strikeout rate
As of April 2026, Kimbrel has a career strikeouts per nine innings rate of 14.0.
Mentioned in this timeline
Los Angeles California's most populous city and Southern California's hub...
Chicago situated on Lake Michigan's western shore is the most...
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball team in MLB's...
Texas is the second-largest U S state by area and...
Philadelphia or Philly is Pennsylvania's most populous city and the...
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of Georgia...
Trending
44 minutes ago Manhattan DA Employee Charged with Subway Sexual Abuse: Tauhid Dewan Arraigned
45 minutes ago Jason Momoa's 'On the Roam' Season 2 Premieres May 14, Exploring Heroes and Dreams.
45 minutes ago Debate Surrounds Larry Bird's Potential in Today's NBA; Experts and Fans Weigh In.
2 hours ago Brock Nelson's Performance Against Kings, Playoff Atmosphere, and Second Line Task
2 hours ago David Cross Regrets 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' Experience, Vows Never to Return.
2 hours ago André the Giant Honored with Historical Marker in North Carolina
Popular
William Franklin Graham III known as Franklin Graham is an...
Lindsey Graham is an American politician and attorney who has...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...
Kashyap Pramod Patel known as Kash Patel is an American...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model who served as...