Craig Kimbrel Bolsters Astros’ Bullpen
Experienced reliever Craig Kimbrel and the Houston Astros have reached an agreement for a Major League contract. This move seeks to strengthen the Astros’ bullpen, who are looking to maintain their leadership in the American League West. Kimbrel, 37, joins his ninth team in the Major Leagues and the second this season, after pitching one inning for the Atlanta before being assigned. In the last two months, Kimbrel was with the Triple-A team of the Texas Rangers, where he recorded an ERA of 3.86 and struck out 28 batters in 21 innings. Considered one of the most prominent relievers of his generation, Kimbrel has played for seven Major League teams since 2021. Now he arrives at the Astros, who urgently need bullpen reinforcements due to the shoulder injury of their closer, Josh Hader. Houston’s lead in the American League West Division over Seattle is 1 1/2 games.During the first three months of the season, Houston’s relievers were among the best in baseball, with an ERA of 3.47. However, since July 1st, the Astros’ bullpen performance has declined, with an ERA more than one point higher (4.69), a drop in the strikeout rate, and increases in walk and home run rates.
The Astros manager, Joe Espada, has relied heavily on relievers Bryan Abreu, Steven Okert, Bryan King, and Bennett Sousa. The Astros are one of three teams, along with San Diego and Kansas City, that have five relief pitchers with more than 50 innings pitched this season. Houston hopes Kimbrel can offer an option for the final innings and alleviate the bullpen’s workload. Since signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, Kimbrel has saved 68 games in the Major Leagues and struck out 240 batters in 180 1/3 innings. However, his 4.00 ERA was almost double the 2.18 he recorded in his first twelve seasons in the Major Leagues, when he was one of the most feared closers in the game. According to Statcast, Kimbrel’s fastball velocity has decreased from a high of 98.3 mph in 2017 to an average of 92.8 mph in the minor leagues this season. He continues to throw his signature knuckle curve and has also added a slider.
