Braves relief prospect Craig Kimbrel promoted to double-A

by gondeee on Aug 1, 2009 12:55 AM EDT in Braves Minor League News

The talented Braves releif prospect Craig Kimbrel was promoted to double-A Mississippi today and LHP Bryan Dumesnil was released from the organization. Kimbrel started the year at hi-A Myrtle Beach, but had control problems and was quickly demoted to low-A Rome. He dominated in Rome and earned another promotion to the Beach, where he continued his success the second time around.

The Braves, seemingly pushing the strikeout machine Kimbrel as fast as they can, promoted him to double-A. The righty's numbers, even with the bad stint early in the season at Myrtle Beach, are ridiculous -- In 48.1 combined innings between three levels, Kimbrel has 85 strikeouts and a .175 average against. It's easy to see why the Braves want to move him fast, in hopes that he could help the big league club as early as next season.

Kimbrel worked 2 scoreless innings in his debut tonight in Mississippi, allowing 2 hits, a walk, and striking out 2. He earned the "W" as the team came back to win in extra innings.

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Don’t really like it. His command was pretty bad at the beach even the second time around. I’d like to see him get more time down there to try and sort it down before facing more advanced competition.

by was385 on Aug 1, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I sort of agree

This is just a guess, but tons of Ks and BBs and almost no hits surrendered make it look like he’s fooling hitters into swinging at stuff out of the zone. AA competition may not be fooled quite as easily. But, on the other hand, If left to embarrass the Carolina league he might never have had to learn to throw strikes.

Pete Rose was actually banned from baseball for teaching Jeff Francoeur how to play. He made up the gambling stuff to hide his shame.

by VivaLosBravos on Aug 1, 2009 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions

This

Push the kid, and let’s see what he’s got. The Double A Acid test, if you will, to channel Sickels for a sec.

by Yakker on Aug 1, 2009 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Accordng to those who have watched him, his slider tends to move out of the K zone. First trip to the Beach, the hitters wouldn’t chase it and he had trouble adjusting. He adjusted at Rome and is now doing just fine.

by braves99 on Aug 1, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel like I over-estimated the organizations value of Cory Gearrin. Somehow he got leap-frogged in all of this. Anyways, Kimbrel is on track to be our closer as soon as some time next year, if he can keep the mechanics right and throw strikes.

Q: If on-base pct is so important then why don't they put it on the scoreboard? -Failcoeur

A: Because the Braves don't want to show their fans how bad you suck.

by timmy3 on Aug 1, 2009 1:27 AM EDT reply actions

Gearrin

doesn’t have the stuff of kimbrel. Kimbrel’s fastball-slider combo is incredible

by was385 on Aug 1, 2009 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t get what they’re doing with Gearrin. The guy is highly effective and he’s got the right mentality. He was a high round pick though, so as long as he’s producing, he’ll be in their plans.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
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by cbwilk on Aug 1, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I doubt the franchise has the faith in Kimbrel to expect him to contribute as a closer at any point next season. What I’m trying to say is that I expect us to resign one of the guys we got or acquire another closer in the offseason.

A man walks into a meat shoppe and goes to the counter. The cashier asks, "Thinking about buying some meat?". The man replied, "No, I'm going to buy meat, I was thinking about punanny."

by bwellnjonesco on Aug 1, 2009 12:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions