Corey Knebel is a relief pitcher who has spent time with multiple MLB teams throughout his career. He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2021-2022 offseason, with the hopes that he would provide more stability to the Phillies’ bullpen.
However, due to the lockout, the 2022 season did not start on time, leaving fans and analysts wondering how Knebel will perform in the upcoming season.
We will take a closer look at what happened to Corey Knebel, including his 2021 performance with the Los Angeles Dodgers, his signing with the Phillies, and his potential impact on the team in the upcoming season.
Knebel’s 2021 Season
During the 2021 season, Corey Knebel was a key contributor to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen. He appeared in 41 games, pitching 45.1 innings and recording a 3.31 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. He also struck out 57 batters, showcasing his ability to be a strikeout pitcher.
However, Knebel did have some injury concerns throughout the season. He was placed on the injured list twice, once for a right lat strain and another time for a right triceps injury. These injuries caused him to miss some time, but he was able to return and pitch effectively for the Dodgers.
Overall, Knebel’s 2021 performance was solid, but not exceptional. His ERA and WHIP were both slightly above average for a relief pitcher, but his ability to strike out batters was impressive. If he can stay healthy, Knebel has the potential to be a reliable relief pitcher for any team.
Signing With the Philadelphia Phillies
After the 2021 season, Corey Knebel became a free agent and signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies worth $10 million. The Phillies were in need of bullpen help, and Knebel was seen as a valuable addition to their relief corps.
The expectations for Knebel in the Phillies’ bullpen are high. He is expected to be a key setup man for closer Hector Neris and to provide stability to the back end of the bullpen.
Knebel has experience closing games, having done so for the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in his career, and could potentially fill in as the closer if needed.
However, the lockout that began in December 2021 and is ongoing as of April 2023 has impacted the upcoming season.
This has prevented teams from conducting offseason activities, including team workouts, player signings, and other crucial activities that help prepare for the season.
This has made it difficult to predict how Knebel will perform with the Phillies in the upcoming season, as the lockout has prevented any on-field activity from taking place.
Potential 2022 Performance With the Phillies
Knebel’s Pitching Style and Fit With the Phillies
Corey Knebel is known for his fastball-curveball combination, which he uses to generate swings and misses. He has a career strikeout rate of 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings, which is excellent for a relief pitcher. He also induces ground balls at a high rate, which can be valuable in high-leverage situations.
Knebel’s pitching style and arsenal make him a good fit for the Phillies’ bullpen. The team has been searching for reliable relievers to fill key roles, and Knebel has the potential to be one of their best. If he can stay healthy and pitch effectively, he could be a valuable asset to the Phillies’ bullpen.
Role in the Bullpen
Corey Knebel is expected to be a key setup man for closer Hector Neris in the Phillies’ bullpen. He could also potentially fill in as the closer if needed. Knebel has experience closing games, having done so for the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in his career.
The Phillies have struggled with bullpen depth in recent seasons, so Knebel’s presence could be crucial to their success.
If he performs well, he could provide stability to the back end of the bullpen and help the Phillies secure more wins in tight games.
Predictions for Knebel’s 2022 Performance
It is difficult to predict exactly how Corey Knebel will perform in the upcoming season, as the lockout has prevented any on-field activity from taking place.
However, based on his past performance and his potential fit with the Phillies’ bullpen, it is reasonable to expect that Knebel will perform well in 2022.
If he can stay healthy and pitch effectively, Knebel has the potential to be one of the Phillies’ best relievers. He could be a valuable asset in high-leverage situations and could help the team secure more wins in tight games.
Ultimately, the success of the Phillies’ bullpen will depend on the performance of all of their relievers, but Knebel could play a key role in their success.
Corey Knebel’s Performance with the Dodgers in 2021
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.31 |
| WHIP | 1.06 |
| Strikeouts | 45 |
| Innings | 32.2 |
| Saves | 1 |
| Holds | 5 |
| FIP | 2.69 |
| WAR | 0.7 |
Note: Data is based on Corey Knebel’s performance with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2021 MLB season.
FAQs
What other teams were interested in signing Corey Knebel before he signed with the Phillies?
It is not publicly known which other teams were interested in signing Corey Knebel before he signed with the Phillies. However, Knebel was a highly sought-after free agent due to his past performance and potential to be a valuable addition to a team’s bullpen.
Has Corey Knebel ever pitched at Citizens Bank Park before?
Yes, Corey Knebel has pitched at Citizens Bank Park before. He has made three appearances at the stadium, all during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. In those three appearances, he pitched a total of 2.2 innings and gave up two runs.
What was the reaction from Phillies fans when the team signed Corey Knebel?
The reaction from Phillies fans to the signing of Corey Knebel was mixed. Some fans were excited to see the team make a move to improve their bullpen, while others were skeptical of Knebel’s ability to stay healthy and pitch effectively.
What are the injury concerns surrounding Corey Knebel?
Corey Knebel has a history of injury concerns. He missed the entire 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery and has had multiple other injury issues throughout his career. However, he was able to pitch effectively during the 2021 season with the Dodgers, and the Phillies are hoping he can stay healthy and pitch effectively in 2022.
What other moves have the Phillies made to improve their bullpen?
In addition to signing Corey Knebel, the Phillies have made several other moves to improve their bullpen. They signed veteran reliever Archie Bradley to a one-year deal, acquired left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, and signed left-handed reliever Matt Moore to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Conclusion
Corey Knebel signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a one-year deal in the offseason leading up to the 2022 season. Knebel had a solid performance in 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Phillies were hoping he could provide stability to their bullpen.
Knebel’s pitching style and arsenal make him a good fit for the Phillies’ bullpen. He is expected to be a key setup man for closer Hector Neris and could potentially fill in as the closer if needed.
However, the lockout has prevented any on-field activity from taking place, making it difficult to predict how Knebel will perform in the upcoming season.
If Knebel can stay healthy and pitch effectively, he has the potential to be one of the Phillies’ best relievers. He could help the team secure more wins in tight games and provide stability to the back end of the bullpen.
Ultimately, Knebel’s success with the Phillies will depend on his ability to stay healthy and pitch effectively, but he has the potential to be a valuable asset to the team in 2022.
