I missed this quote yesterday while I was out and about, it's from Kevin Goldstein's scouting notebook at Baseball Prospectus (sub. req.):
One scout who recently saw [Craig Kimbrel] and Gwinnett compared the right-hander to a mirror image of the current Braves closer, Billy Wagner.
"It's Wagner's body, similar arm action, he uses his legs like Wagner, and he has the same explosive fastball and wipeout slider," said the scout. "He's over-the-top competitive, pitches with no fear, and seems to amp up his stuff when the game is on the line, and I love to see that." [...]
"Once his command arrives consistently, he's legit," said the scout. "When all is said and done, he's a big-league closer, and a well above-average one for me."
He goes on to relay some more info about Kimbrel and some good tidbits about Freddie Freeman. I'm excited to see Kimbrel in action, hopefully he can make it into a game this weekend.
0 recs | 17 comments
I think it’s great Kimbrel has the opportunity to get his feet wet this season because it’ll be the Craig Kimbrel Show in 2011. I’m really looking forward to seeing him pitch.
UMDBHIK - May 7, 2010
I wish he would have come in versus the Nationals
because I only get to see the Braves on tv when they play the Nats and the O’s. Disappointing.
RichmondBraves - May 7, 2010
Sunday’s game is on TBS. You probably get that one.
UMDBHIK - May 7, 2010
Yes!
RichmondBraves - May 7, 2010
Are you allowed to post what he said about Freeman?
FitzFan - May 7, 2010
I could, but that’s a paid site, so I try to respect their need to actually make money from people paying to read their content by not giving away the whole store for free. BP is a great baseball site, and one that I think everyone needs to subscribe to.
gondeee - May 7, 2010
It’s also like $4 a month, so it’s certainly affordable.
Smoltz's Beard - May 7, 2010
that's money I need to fund my self-destructive college habits thank you very much
was385 - May 7, 2010
Almost a while pizza!
I can’t afford that kind of expense!
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
*WHOLE pizza. Damn.
J-Freak - May 7, 2010
But that's like...
almost a pack of smokes. No dice.
Mr. Sanchez - May 7, 2010
I understand. Thanks for the Krimbrel tid-bit.
FitzFan - May 7, 2010
Great Scout
Should I be worried this scout said Kimbrel throws a Slider when Kimbrel only throws a Fastball, Curve, and occasional Change?
I’ll admit his Curve does have some slider bite to it. But still.
palioc33 - May 7, 2010
I’ve heard he threw a slider also.
FitzFan - May 7, 2010
I understand he calls it a curve
but it acts a hell of a lot more like a slider than a curveball.
was385 - May 7, 2010
Could be a slurve. Not quite slider, not quite curve.
Hybrid pitchers get me hot.
UMDBHIK - May 7, 2010
The times I’ve seen him I was calling it a slider. So yeah, maybe he thinks it’s a curve, but at best it’s really a slurve.
cbwilk - May 8, 2010
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