What Happened to Kluber?

Kevin Smith

Updated on:

What Happened to Kluber?

Corey Kluber is a professional baseball player who has made a name for himself as one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) over the past decade.

Kluber’s journey to the top of the league was not easy, as he faced early struggles in his career before eventually becoming a two-time Cy Young Award winner. However, injuries and setbacks in recent years have derailed Kluber’s career, causing him to bounce around from team to team.

Nevertheless, on December 1, 2021, Kluber signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, sparking renewed interest in his career and what he can bring to the table for his new team.

We’ll take a closer look at Corey Kluber’s career, his recent signing with the Tampa Bay Rays, and what the future holds for this talented pitcher.

Corey Kluber’s Early Career

Corey Kluber was born on April 10, 1986, in Birmingham, Alabama, and grew up in Coppell, Texas. He attended Coppell High School, where he played baseball and basketball. However, he was not heavily recruited by colleges and ended up playing for Stetson University, a small Division I school in DeLand, Florida.

Kluber’s early years in baseball were marked by struggles and setbacks. In his freshman year at Stetson, he had a 6.99 earned run average (ERA) in 23 innings pitched. The following year, he improved to a 3.61 ERA but still struggled with control issues. However, Kluber persevered and continued to work hard on his craft.

In his junior year, Kluber began to show signs of his potential as a pitcher. He posted a 4.26 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 82 innings pitched. He also set a school record for strikeouts in a single game with 16. Despite his improvement, Kluber was not selected in the MLB draft after his junior year.

Kluber returned for his senior year and dominated, posting a 2.27 ERA with 117 strikeouts in 103 innings pitched. He was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year and was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB draft.

Kluber’s rise to success continued in the minor leagues. He worked his way up through the Padres’ minor league system, eventually reaching Triple-A in 2010. However, he struggled in his brief stint in Triple-A and was traded to the Cleveland Indians later that year.

Despite his struggles in Triple-A, Kluber continued to improve and refine his skills in the minors. He became known for his work ethic and dedication to his craft, and in 2013, he finally made his debut in the Major Leagues.

Corey Kluber’s Success in the Major Leagues

Corey Kluber made his Major League debut on September 1, 2011, for the Cleveland Indians. He started the game and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out four batters.

Although he struggled in his first taste of big-league action, Kluber would continue to work hard and improve.

Kluber’s breakout season came in 2014 when he emerged as one of the best pitchers in the American League. He finished the season with an 18-9 record, a 2.44 ERA, and 269 strikeouts, leading the league in both ERA and strikeouts.

He also finished third in the voting for the AL Most Valuable Player award and won his first of two Cy Young Awards.

Kluber’s dominance on the mound continued in the following seasons. He had another stellar season in 2016, finishing with a 18-9 record, a 3.14 ERA, and 227 strikeouts, leading the Indians to the World Series.

Although the Indians ultimately fell short in the World Series, Kluber’s performance throughout the postseason was outstanding, earning him the reputation as one of the most reliable pitchers in clutch situations.

In 2017, Kluber won his second Cy Young Award, becoming the first Indians pitcher to win the award twice. He finished the season with a 18-4 record, a 2.25 ERA, and 265 strikeouts.

Kluber continued to be a dominant force on the mound in the years that followed, consistently putting up strong numbers and cementing his place as one of the best pitchers of his generation.

Injuries and Setbacks

Despite his early success in the Major Leagues, Corey Kluber has faced significant injury troubles in recent years. In 2019, he suffered a fractured forearm after being hit by a line drive during a game, causing him to miss the remainder of the season.

In 2020, he signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers, but he struggled to regain his form and pitched in just one inning before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Kluber’s injury woes continued in 2021 when he signed with the New York Yankees on a one-year deal. He made just eight starts for the Yankees before suffering a shoulder strain that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

Throughout his recent struggles, Kluber has remained determined to return to form and contribute to his team’s success.

However, the short stints with both the Rangers and Yankees have left many wondering if the former Cy Young Award winner can still be an effective pitcher at the Major League level.

Despite the setbacks, Kluber remained committed to his craft and continued to work hard to get back to the mound.

His dedication and hard work ultimately paid off when he signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays on December 1, 2021, with $8 million guaranteed salary and $5 million in achievable incentives.

The signing sparked renewed interest in Kluber’s career, and many are eager to see what he can bring to his new team in the upcoming season.

Corey Kluber’s Signing With the Tampa Bay Rays

On December 1, 2021, Corey Kluber signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, worth $8 million in guaranteed salary and $5 million in achievable incentives.

The contract marked a fresh start for the former Cy Young Award winner, who was looking to bounce back after a series of injuries and setbacks in recent years.

The signing of Kluber represents a low-risk, high-reward move for the Rays, who have a reputation for finding hidden gems in the free-agent market.

With his experience and success at the Major League level, Kluber is expected to provide the Rays with a much-needed boost to their starting rotation.

As for Kluber’s role with the team, it is likely that he will slot in as one of the Rays’ top starters, alongside Tyler Glasnow and Shane McClanahan.

However, the Rays are known for their innovative use of pitching staffs, and it is possible that Kluber could see time in a variety of roles, including as a long reliever or as an opener.

Overall, Kluber’s signing with the Rays represents a fresh start for the veteran pitcher and a chance to prove that he can still be an effective pitcher at the Major League level.

With the support of a talented Rays team behind him, Kluber will have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

Here is a Table Summarizing Corey Kluber’s Major League Career Statistics From 2011 to 2021:

YearTeamWLERAIPSOWHIP
2011CLE008.314.141.85
2012CLE255.1463.0541.50
2013CLE1153.85147.11361.26
2014CLE1892.44235.22691.09
2015CLE9163.49222.02451.05
2016CLE1893.14215.02271.06
2017CLE1842.25203.22650.87
2018CLE2072.89215.02220.99
2019CLE235.8035.2381.65
2020TEX015.658.081.50
2021NYY535.1553.0501.34
TotalN/A101583.161532.217041.10

This table shows Kluber’s win-loss record, earned run average (ERA), innings pitched (IP), strikeouts (SO), and walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) for each season he played in the Major Leagues from 2011 to 2021.

The table illustrates how Kluber established himself as one of the premier pitchers in the league during his prime, and how injuries and age have impacted his performance in recent years.

FAQs

What is Corey Kluber’s career ERA?

Corey Kluber’s career ERA is 3.16. He has pitched a total of 1,532.2 innings and has recorded 1,704 strikeouts.

How many times has Corey Kluber won the Cy Young Award?

Corey Kluber has won the Cy Young Award twice, in 2014 and 2017. He was also a finalist for the award in 2016.

What teams has Corey Kluber played for?

Corey Kluber has played for three teams during his Major League career. He began his career with the Cleveland Indians in 2011, then played for the Texas Rangers in 2020, and the New York Yankees in 2021. He signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2022 season.

What kind of pitcher is Corey Kluber?

Corey Kluber is known as a power pitcher, relying on his fastball and devastating breaking ball to get strikeouts. He is also known for his ability to mix up his pitches and keep batters guessing.

How old is Corey Kluber?

Corey Kluber was born on April 10, 1986, which means he will turn 37 years old on April 10, 2023.

Conclusion

Corey Kluber’s career has been marked by perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. From his early struggles in the Minor Leagues to his dominance on the mound in the Major Leagues, Kluber has always been determined to succeed.

In recent years, Kluber has faced significant injury setbacks that have raised questions about his future in baseball.

However, his signing with the Tampa Bay Rays on a one-year contract represents a fresh start for the former Cy Young Award winner and a chance to prove that he can still be a top-tier pitcher at the Major League level.

With his experience and success in the past, Kluber has the potential to provide a much-needed boost to the Rays’ starting rotation and help lead the team to success in the upcoming season.

It will be exciting to see what Kluber can accomplish with his new team, and fans of the game will be watching closely as he continues his journey in baseball.

Photo of author

Kevin Smith

I am a dedicated learner who is constantly pursuing my dreams in many areas of life. I am a Finance major at the University of Maryland, a professional baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays and the owner of my personal brand, Elevate Baseball. I hope to inspire younger learners of all sports and interests to tirelessly pursue their dreams, whatever that may be. LinkedIn

Leave a Comment