Optimism isn't running rampant with regard to the 2015 Atlanta Braves, and with good reason. However, the Braves are still blessed with the best player in the league at his position, and in the spirit of positive thought, we wanted to remind you.
Craig Kimbrel is very good at baseball.
In previewing the 2015 season for the Braves, NBC's Hardball Talk had this to say about Kimbrel:
2015 could be the first season since taking over as the Braves’ everyday closer in which Craig Kimbrel will fail to lead the league in saves. The flame-thrower led the NL with 46, 42, 50, and 47 saves from 2011-14. Because the Braves are expected to win so few games, however, Kimbrel’s save chances will be fewer in number. The Braves averaged 89.5 wins over that four year span, affording Kimbrel many opportunities to close out ballgames.
The debate surrounding the actual value of closers continues to rage, and in this space, there has been plenty of chatter concerning whether the Braves should trade Kimbrel at his peak. Still, Atlanta hasn't elected to pull the trigger on this move to this point, and in the process, it almost feels as if Braves Country (or at least portions of it) has forgotten just how ridiculous Kimbrel has been.
As Bill Baer notes above, Kimbrel has led the National League in saves for four straight seasons, and prior to that, all that the right-hander managed to do as a rookie was post a 0.44 ERA in 21 appearances at the age of 22. In his career, Craig Kimbrel has a 1.43 ERA in 289 innings, and with eye-popping strikeout numbers (14.8 K/9), that overall performance level certainly isn't a fluke,
It is certainly viable to be concerned about the amount of saves that Kimbrel will generate this season because, well, it is tough to save games when a team doesn't win. On the bright side for those worried about his save total, the Braves will almost certainly generate victories with close margins given their strong pitching and woeful offense, so fear not, Craig Kimbrel will be prominently involved in those wins.
Craig Kimbrel is a prime trade candidate because relievers who pitch in the ninth inning are generally overvalued. Still, the Atlanta Braves boast the best relief pitcher in baseball, and he is a lot of fun. Let's enjoy it.