RADIO
Craig Kimbrel 2020 Outlook: Star Closer Offers High Risk, High Reward
5 years agoCubs relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel had a disappointing 2019, but the question for drafters will be how much of that was on Kimbrel and how much was due to the midseason holdout. The 31-year-old closer faltered after waiting until the draft pick compensation tied to signing him was lifted in early June. He made his debut on June 27, securing a save against Atlanta, but would end up with a 6.53 ERA/1.50 WHIP over 20 ⅔ IP. A lack of preseason prep and normal routine didn’t pan out, but he also may have been tipping pitches. There’s a lot to unpack, but he’s a top-five closer when on and that ceiling demands a certain draft stock. And while he had a lofty 8.00 FIP in 2019, he also had a 3.91 SIERA underneath the hood. While trust in Kimbrel is shaky, his lengthy track record as an elite closer and 2019’s unusual circumstances for his preparation offer hope. He’s our No. 8 reliever here but No. 12 in early NFBC drafts, meaning we see value in the early markets, though one may be able to extract extra value by waiting.
