Craig Kimbrel Reaches 400 Saves

By Andrew Gray

May 27, 2023

Craig Kimbrel is known for a few things. One of the most dominant runs as a closer in baseball history, a triple digit fastball, and his pre-pitch stare. On Friday evening, he added another accomplishment he will be remembered for, for years to come. Kimbrel joins an exclusive list of just eight pitchers who have 400 saves in their career. The night couldn’t have been more perfect. With 30-40 of his closest family and friends on hand in Atlanta, Kimbrel saved the game in the ninth as the Philadelphia Phillies won 6–4 over the Atlanta Braves.

Kimbrel Joins Exclusive List

Kimbrel joins Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), Francisco Rodriguez (437), John Franco (424), Billy Wagner (422), and Kenley Jansen (401) in the exclusive list of closers who have saved more than 400 games. Of course, Kenley Jansen joined the list as well this season. Of the eight, Kimbrel leads in K/9 (14.4), FIP (2.40), and Batting Average Against (.166).

The next closest active pitcher on the list is Aroldis Chapman who sits at 317 saves. With shortened seasons and injuries holding Chapman back over the last few years, Kimbrel and Jansen will be the only pitchers joining the list in the near future.

Off to a Fast Start

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From 2011-2014 Craig Kimbrel was the most dominant relief pitcher in baseball. In 268 1/3 innings he had a 1.51 ERA, 436 strike outs, 185 saves, and a 252 ERA+. He led all closers in saves in each of those four seasons with 46, 42, 50, and 47. He won NL rookie of the year in 2011 and received Cy Young votes in each year as well. His 14.6 K/9 and 0.880 were unmatched and show just how absolutely un-touchable he was in this four year stretch.

He was not only the fastest pitcher to 200 saves, but also to 300 saves. Kimbrel won the Trevor Hoffman award in 2014, and the Mariano Rivera award in 2017. He is the only pitcher to win both awards. All of this with only two pitches. A dominant fast ball which was way ahead of its time, and a curveball which he threw with devastating control.

A Trip to Cooperstown

Is Craig Kimbrel a hall-of-famer? This is certainly a great conversation to have with your friends on a Sunday at your local bar. 400 saves is not a guarantee to get into the hall as you might think it would be. Billy Wagner, Francisco Rodriguez, and John Franco remain out of the Hall Of Fame. Kimbrel resume is just as strong as those guys, but he may have to wait for some of them to clear before he gets in. There might also be some congestion with Kenley Jansen when that time comes for both of them as they have remarkably similar careers.

5 time all star, rookie of the year, 400 saves, 2 time reliever of the year, a World Series title, and a Gold medal at the 2017 WBC to boot. With his run as the most dominant closer in all of baseball and all his hardware, it is going to be very difficult to keep him out. If he a sure thing first ballot hall-of-famer? Probably not, but, is he too good to be kept out? Absolutely.