#9
of 20
Craig Kimbrel
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Craig Kimbrel’s early career dominance was historic. He opened with seven straight All-Star seasons and led the league in saves four times. From 2011 through 2014, his ERAs hovered near or below 1.50 with elite strikeout totals. His fastball-curve combination overwhelmed hitters. Kimbrel reached 400 saves while maintaining one of the highest strikeout rates ever. At peak, he was nearly unhittable. Control issues later in his career introduced volatility. His postseason track record is mixed. Even with fluctuations, his early dominance cements a top-tier ranking.
Career Numbers
57-53
W-L
2.69
ERA
1,322
K
867.2
IP
441
SV
Craig Kimbrel at No. 9
This slide covers number 9 of 20 in Top 20 Closers of All Time in History of MLB Baseball: Craig Kimbrel. The career card for Craig Kimbrel shows a 57-53 record, a 2.69 ERA and 1,322 strikeouts. It also counts 441 saves. Craig Kimbrel debuted in the 2010s, and the Explore links below open that decade's page and the list of players born in USA. Kenley Jansen is ranked just above at 8; Bruce Sutter follows at 10. The ranking and the write-up above it are the list's editorial judgment; the career numbers come from the same tables as the player pages.