In a career that has spanned over a decade, Craig Kimbrel has solidified his place as one of the greatest closers in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.

In a career that has spanned over a decade, Craig Kimbrel has solidified his place as one of the greatest closers in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. With his recent milestone of becoming the 5th all-time leader in saves, Kimbrel continues to add to his remarkable legacy. His journey from a promising young pitcher to one of the most dominant relievers in the game is a testament to his perseverance, skill, and consistency.

As of now, Kimbrel sits at an impressive 400+ career saves, a number that places him among an elite group of closers who have redefined the position. While saves are just one aspect of a reliever’s career, reaching such a milestone speaks volumes about a pitcher’s longevity and ability to perform under pressure. Kimbrel’s 5th-place ranking puts him in the company of baseball legends and highlights his place in the pantheon of all-time greats in the bullpen.

The Rise of Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2008, and it didn’t take long for the hard-throwing right-hander to make an impact at the major league level. Making his MLB debut in 2010, Kimbrel quickly became known for his electric fastball and devastating curveball. His ability to consistently overpower hitters and close out games made him a key figure in the Braves’ bullpen.

In 2011, Kimbrel had a breakout season, earning the National League Rookie of the Year honors after posting an incredible 46 saves and a 2.10 ERA. His dominance continued in the years that followed, as Kimbrel solidified himself as one of the most reliable closers in the game. He was named an All-Star multiple times and garnered numerous accolades, including multiple seasons leading the league in saves. Kimbrel’s fastball velocity and the late bite on his curveball were often too much for hitters to handle, and he quickly became one of the most feared pitchers in the league.

A Career Defined by Consistency

What sets Craig Kimbrel apart from many of his peers is his remarkable consistency. Over the course of his career, he has been a constant presence in bullpens around the league, continuously delivering in high-leverage situations. Whether closing out tight games for the Braves, the San Diego Padres, or the Chicago Cubs, Kimbrel has been a reliable force at the back end of nearly every bullpen he’s been a part of.

Kimbrel’s career numbers are a testament to his ability to stay at the top of his game, year in and year out. As of his milestone, Kimbrel has accumulated over 400 saves, a number that puts him in the same breath as some of the greatest closers in baseball history, such as Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Lee Smith, and Billy Wagner. His strikeout rate and ability to generate swings and misses have been a constant throughout his career, with Kimbrel consistently ranking among the league leaders in strikeouts per nine innings. His ability to get batters out in key moments, particularly in tight games, has helped define his career.

Climbing the All-Time Saves List

As of the latest update, Craig Kimbrel finds himself sitting at the 5th spot on the all-time saves list, a position that further cements his place among baseball’s all-time greats. Kimbrel now has over 400 saves, a mark that only a few other pitchers have reached in the history of the game.

At this stage in his career, Kimbrel is focused on continuing to climb the leaderboard. With his next few saves, he could eventually move into the 4th position, currently held by Billy Wagner, and even challenge for the 3rd spot in the near future. The closer’s ability to maintain his level of dominance, even as he enters the later stages of his career, is a testament to his training regimen, his consistency, and his mental fortitude.

What’s particularly impressive about Kimbrel’s place on the all-time saves list is that he has reached this point with a relatively short career compared to some of the other names above him. The top of the list is often dominated by pitchers who were able to sustain long careers as closers, but Kimbrel’s ability to maintain such a high level of performance in a smaller number of seasons shows the immense talent and resilience that has defined his career.

Impact on the Game

Kimbrel’s legacy isn’t just about the saves he has accumulated; it’s also about the impact he has had on the role of the closer. Kimbrel was part of a generation of closers who helped redefine the position. With his high velocity fastball and sharp curveball, Kimbrel was among the first to fully embrace a power-oriented approach to closing out games. His dominance during the height of his career changed how teams viewed the bullpen, and his success helped push the use of specialized relief pitchers and the increasing importance of strikeouts for closers.

Moreover, Kimbrel’s success has also influenced a new generation of pitchers. Younger pitchers entering the league now look up to Kimbrel as a model for how to excel as a closer. His ability to pitch in high-pressure situations while maintaining an elite level of performance is something many young pitchers strive to emulate.

Looking Ahead: A Few More Milestones?

With his place in history already secure, Kimbrel still has a few more milestones to reach before his career is over. As he continues to climb the saves list, Kimbrel’s focus remains on contributing to his team’s success, one save at a time. Whether or not he can catch up to the top two names—Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman—remains to be seen, but the fact that he has already surpassed the 400-save mark is an incredible achievement in itself.

Kimbrel’s longevity, combined with his ability to maintain his elite stuff, gives him a real chance to add even more saves to his total. As he continues to perform in key moments, Kimbrel’s place among the greatest closers to ever play the game is only solidified further.

Conclusion

Craig Kimbrel’s milestone of becoming the 5th all-time leader in saves is a reflection of his remarkable career. His journey from a promising rookie to an MLB legend is a testament to his skill, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure. As he continues to add to his impressive total, Kimbrel remains one of the most dominant closers in the history of the game, and his place on the all-time saves list ensures his legacy will be remembered for generations to come.