Craig Kimbrel, the fire-breathing closer who once terrorized the ninth inning for the Atlanta Braves, is lacing up again. And this time, he’s starting his redemption tour in Double-A with the Columbus Clingstones.
Now, when the Clingstones say he’s joining “to continue his legacy of dominance,” it almost sounds like something out of a superhero movie. But here’s the thing: it’s not all smoke. Kimbrel’s got history—and not just any history. We’re talking a 1.43 ERA across nearly 300 games in a Braves uniform.
That kind of stat line doesn’t come around often. The man had fans comparing him to Mariano Rivera during a time when Rivera was still redefining what greatness even looked like. Let that sink in.
The Numbers Tell Two Stories
That said, it hasn’t been smooth sailing since his first tour of duty in Atlanta. Since 2019, Kimbrel has posted a 3.90 ERA, a stat that paints a very different picture from his early dominance.
There were flashes of brilliance, sure—but also some serious turbulence. Seasons with ERAs over 5.00, late-inning blowups, and a lot of head-scratching moments had fans wondering if the magic was gone for good.
This is why his latest minor-league deal raised eyebrows. It wasn’t just a reunion—it was a gamble. The Braves signed him late in Spring Training with the understanding he’d ramp up in Triple-A Gwinnett.
Yet here we are: Gwinnett hasn’t seen him, and Double-A Columbus is getting the first look. Only time will tell whether that’s a sign of flexibility or recalibration.
A Braves Bullpen in Need of Backup
If there’s one thing Kimbrel has going for him, it’s opportunity. The Braves bullpen has been, well, inconsistent. They’re not falling apart—but they’re also not exactly the lockdown unit you want heading into summer. Sunday’s 8-3 implosion against the Rays was a textbook example: too many long balls, not enough answers.
So if Kimbrel shows even a glimmer of his old form—if that fastball still has bite and his command holds—there’s a legitimate path back to the Majors. And with a $2 million paycheck riding on it, you better believe he’s motivated.
From Crouch to Closer Again?
Let’s not forget the visuals, either. That iconic Kimbrel crouch—arms dangling, eyes locked in, the calm before the storm. Atlanta fans know it. Opposing batters feared it. It’s part of Braves folklore. And now, there’s a chance it returns.
Will he close games again? Will he anchor the bullpen? Or is this just a chapter in a long goodbye? We don’t know yet. But one thing’s for sure: Kimbrel is back in the mix, and the Braves season just got a lot more interesting.
