Craig Kimbrel is one of the most dominant relief pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. He has amassed over 400 saves and has been selected to the All-Star team eight times. However, it’s not just Kimbrel’s performance on the mound that sets him apart from other pitchers.
He also has a unique pitching stance that has become his signature move. Kimbrel hangs his right arm by his side before delivering a pitch, which is a departure from the more common “behind-the-back” stance used by many pitchers.
We’ll explore the story behind Kimbrel’s arm-hanging stance and why he adopted this unusual approach to pitching.
Kimbrel’s Pre-injury Pitching Stance
Before adopting his current arm-hanging pitching stance, Craig Kimbrel used the more conventional “behind-the-back” stance that many pitchers use. In this stance, the pitcher tucks their throwing arm behind their back before winding up to deliver the pitch.
While this stance can be comfortable for some pitchers, it can also lead to biceps tendinitis. Biceps tendinitis is a common injury in baseball pitchers that causes inflammation of the upper biceps tendon.
The injury is often caused by the repetitive motion of pitching, and holding the arm behind the back can exacerbate the issue.
In Kimbrel’s case, he experienced biceps tendinitis in his right arm in 2010, which forced him to look for a new pitching stance. He needed a stance that would reduce the strain on his arm and allow him to continue pitching at an elite level.
The solution he found was to hang his right arm by his side before delivering a pitch, which eliminated the pain caused by the previous stance.
Kimbrel’s Injury and Arm-hanging Stance
In 2010, Craig Kimbrel was pitching in the minor leagues when he began experiencing pain in his right arm. After an examination, he was diagnosed with biceps tendinitis – an injury that caused inflammation in his upper biceps tendon.
Kimbrel’s previous pitching stance, where he held his arm behind his back, exacerbated the pain in his arm. As a result, he needed to find a new stance that would allow him to pitch without causing further damage.
After experimenting with different stances, he found that hanging his right arm by his side before delivering a pitch was the most comfortable and effective approach.
The new stance eliminated the pain he had been experiencing, allowing him to continue pitching at a high level.
While it may have seemed like a simple solution at the time, the new stance has since become a defining characteristic of Kimbrel’s pitching style. It has helped him become one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the game’s history.
The Arm-hanging Stance as a Signature Move
Craig Kimbrel’s arm-hanging pitching stance has become his signature move and a defining characteristic of his pitching style. It’s a stance that sets him apart from other pitchers and has become one of the most recognizable in baseball.
The arm-hanging stance has several unique features that have contributed to its status as a signature move. First, the stance involves hanging Kimbrel’s right arm down by his side, which is unusual for most pitchers.
Second, he holds the ball with both hands in front of his body, creating a distinctive look as he prepares to deliver the pitch. The stance can be a distraction for batters, who are used to facing pitchers with more traditional pitching styles.
The arm-hanging stance is not only visually different, but it can also affect the timing and rhythm of Kimbrel’s pitches. This can make it challenging for batters to adjust and can give Kimbrel an advantage on the mound.
In addition to the competitive advantage, Kimbrel’s stance has also made him a fan favorite. Fans are drawn to unique and unconventional approaches, and the arm-hanging stance certainly fits the bill.
As a result, Kimbrel has become one of the most popular players in baseball, in addition to being one of the best relief pitchers in the game’s history.
Craig Kimbrel’s Career Pitching Stats (as of 2021)
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ERA | 2.08 |
| Saves | 370 |
| Strikeouts | 966 |
| Strikeout % | 41.6% |
| WHIP | 0.97 |
| K/9 | 14.7 |
| BB/9 | 4.1 |
| HR/9 | 0.6 |
| Innings Pitched | 620.1 |
| Games Played | 624 |
This table shows some of Craig Kimbrel’s career pitching stats as of 2021. Kimbrel is one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball history, with a career ERA of 2.08, 370 saves, and 966 strikeouts. His strikeout percentage is an impressive 41.6%, and he has a career average of 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
Despite his success, Kimbrel does tend to walk more batters than other elite relievers, with a career average of 4.1 walks per nine innings. However, his WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) is still an impressive 0.97, indicating that he is very effective at limiting baserunners.
FAQs
How has Kimbrel’s arm-hanging stance affected his pitching stats?
Kimbrel’s arm-hanging stance has had a positive impact on his pitching stats. He has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball history, with a career ERA of 2.08 and 370 saves as of 2021. The stance has also contributed to his impressive strikeout numbers, with a career average of 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
Are there any other pitchers who use an arm-hanging stance?
While the arm-hanging stance is relatively uncommon, there have been a few other pitchers who have used a similar approach. One notable example is Hideo Nomo, who used an arm-hanging windup during his career.
Does the arm-hanging stance put Kimbrel at a disadvantage in any way?
While the arm-hanging stance has several advantages, it can also be a disadvantage in some situations. For example, the stance can make it more challenging for Kimbrel to field ground balls hit back to him. Additionally, some batters may be able to use the distinctive stance to pick up on Kimbrel’s pitches and anticipate what’s coming next.
Has Kimbrel ever discussed the origin of his arm-hanging stance in detail?
While Kimbrel has spoken about the origins of his stance in interviews, he hasn’t gone into great detail about the specifics of how he developed the approach. However, he has said that it was a solution to the pain he was experiencing from biceps tendinitis, and that it felt more comfortable than other pitching stances he tried.
Conclusion
Craig Kimbrel’s arm-hanging pitching stance is an unusual and distinctive approach that has become his signature move. The stance was adopted as a solution to the pain caused by biceps tendinitis, but it has since become a defining characteristic of his pitching style.
The arm-hanging stance sets Kimbrel apart from other pitchers and can be a distraction for batters, giving him a competitive advantage on the mound.
Furthermore, the stance has helped Kimbrel become a fan favorite and one of the most dominant relief pitchers in Major League Baseball history.
