Craig Kimbrel 2024

[ScGO's]

If this is how he holds runners, I'm not looking forward to him being on the bump deep in the playoffs

[webbrick2010]

39 minutes ago, ScGO's said:

If this is how he holds runners, I'm not looking forward to him being on the bump deep in the playoffs

After his performance last post season it is clear that he should not be the primary closer during the playoffs

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, webbrick2010 said:

After his performance last post season it is clear that he should not be the primary closer during the playoffs

He didn't give up a single run during the playoffs when he was with the Dodgers in 2022!

 

 

Spoiler

He was left off their playoff roster.

 

[webbrick2010]

1 minute ago, Can_of_corn said:

He didn't give up a single run during the playoffs when he was with the Dodgers in 2022!

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

He was left off their playoff roster.

 

Nor did Eddie Watt in 1970, and your point is?

We are discussing a guy that is at the end of his career, 2 years ago may as well be 20 years ago. He just posted the lowest velocity of his career. He is a stopgap and the O's have all season to find someone for the playoffs.

[gtman55]

Obviously a huge drop off from Bautista but that hit was a misplayed blooper. I still think it'll wind up bring a closer by committee approach though.

[Can_of_corn]

5 minutes ago, webbrick2010 said:

Nor did Eddie Watt in 1970, and your point is?

We are discussing a guy that is at the end of his career, 2 years ago may as well be 20 years ago. He just posted the lowest velocity of his career. He is a stopgap and the O's have all season to find someone for the playoffs.

Wow, talk about not getting it.

[Going Underground]

Don't most closers hold runners on base poorly?  I have noticed closers with bad or no pick off move.

[Frobby]

10 minutes ago, webbrick2010 said:

Nor did Eddie Watt in 1970, and your point is?

We are discussing a guy that is at the end of his career, 2 years ago may as well be 20 years ago. He just posted the lowest velocity of his career. He is a stopgap and the O's have all season to find someone for the playoffs.

Did you try reading the hidden content in @Can_of_corn’s post?

[Frobby]

11 minutes ago, Going Underground said:

Don't most closers hold runners on base poorly?  I have noticed closers with bad or no pick off move.

Mixed bag.  Here’s the SB/CS for all closers who had 30 saves in 2023:

Clase 10-0

Bednar 1-0

Doval 12-5

Diaz 2-1

Romano 9-1

Williams 10-1

Sewald 7-0

Bautista 10-2

Hader 1-0

Iglesias 0-0

Pressly 1-0

Estevez 2-0

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

24 minutes ago, gtman55 said:

Obviously a huge drop off from Bautista but that hit was a misplayed blooper. I still think it'll wind up bring a closer by committee approach though.

I think this is likely and Elias may very well trade for a reliever who ends up being the closer or is part of a closer by committee.

[Flash- bd]

Chayce McDermott could become a factor in this conversation this season, too. Perhaps even Tyler Wells. 

[Frobby]

Nice first save for Kimbrel yesterday, two K’s and a long fly out to RF with an xBA of .090.   He looked sharp.  FB averaging 93 and topping out at 93.8, but coming from an odd angle and pretty deceptive.  He seems to freeze batters pretty often.  

[RZNJ]

4 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Nice first save for Kimbrel yesterday, two K’s and a long fly out to RF with an xBA of .090.   He looked sharp.  FB averaging 93 and topping out at 93.8, but coming from an odd angle and pretty deceptive.  He seems to freeze batters pretty often.  

Sure,  but was @Moose Milligan impressed?

Velocity, so far, is lower than expected.

Fastball command, so far, is better than expected.

Results, so far, are just what the doctor ordered.

Edited April 6 by RZNJ

[dystopia]

Velocity is a pretty big concern for me but maybe it will improve with the weather. 

[Moose Milligan]

45 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

Sure,  but was @Moose Milligan impressed?

Velocity, so far, is lower than expected.

Fastball command, so far, is better than expected.

Results, so far, are just what the doctor ordered.

Mildly.