Craig Kimbrel looking like his vintage self
D.J. Short breaks down how Craig Kimbrel looks like his vintage self and is on his way to becoming a top-five closer in fantasy.
Video Transcript
DJ SHORT: Coming into this year, it was hard to know what to expect from Cubs' closer Craig Kimbrel. After signing late with Chicago in 2019, he struggled with a 6.53 ERA over 23 appearances, while also missing time due to injury. And then he struggled out of the gate last year as well before finally showing his old form in September.
The question of which version of Kimbrel would show up pushed him outside of the top 10 fantasy closers in most drafts this spring. But so far, he appears to be in vintage form. As of Thursday, June 17th, Kimbrel was splitting a 0.66 ERA with 45 strikeouts and just nine walks in 27 and a third innings. Consider that he walked 12 batters in just 15 and a third innings last year.
With a slight uptick in his curve ball usage this year, Kimbrel has not only improved his control while continuing to strikeout batters in an elite rate, but he's also limiting hard contact. Kimbrel's in the 89th percentile in barrel percentage against after being much more pedestrian in that area last year. There's just not a lot to poke holes in here, so Kimbrel has regained top five closer status in mixed leagues, and he still might make that push for Cooperstown as well.
