Craig Kimbrel is a professional baseball pitcher who is known for his unique pitching stance. Unlike most pitchers who hold their arm behind their back, Craig Kimbrel stands in a peculiar pose with his hands on his hips, his right foot forward, and his left foot back.
This stance has become so recognizable that it has earned the nickname “the Kimbrel Strut” among baseball fans. But why does Craig Kimbrel stand so weird? As it turns out, his signature pitching pose is the result of an injury he suffered in 2010.
We’ll explore Craig Kimbrel’s unique pitching stance, the injury that led to its development, and how it has impacted his career and influenced other pitchers.
Who is Craig Kimbrel?
Craig Kimbrel is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on May 28, 1988, in Huntsville, Alabama, and attended Wallace State Community College.
Kimbrel made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier closers. In his rookie season, he recorded 46 saves and earned the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
Kimbrel continued to dominate in subsequent seasons, earning four All-Star selections and five top-10 finishes in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
In addition to his individual accolades, Kimbrel has helped his teams achieve success on the field. He was a key member of the 2018 Boston Red Sox team that won the World Series, recording six saves in the postseason.
Kimbrel’s success on the field has made him one of the most feared closers in the game, and he has cemented his place as one of the greatest relief pitchers in MLB history.
What is Craig Kimbrel’s Signature Pitching Pose?
Craig Kimbrel’s signature pitching pose is a unique stance that he adopts on the mound before delivering a pitch.
Kimbrel places his hands on his hips with his right foot slightly forward and his left foot back. He also lifts his left leg and tucks it up against his right knee, creating a crouched and balanced posture.
This stance is different from most other pitchers’ stances, where the pitcher would typically hold their arm behind their back before delivering a pitch.
Kimbrel’s pose is distinctive in that it allows him to generate more power and explosiveness in his delivery, and it also helps him maintain balance and control throughout his motion.
This stance has become so recognizable that it has been dubbed “the Kimbrel Strut” by fans and announcers alike.
The unique positioning of Kimbrel’s hands on his hips also serves a functional purpose. It helps him keep his elbow at a consistent angle, which reduces the stress on his throwing arm and shoulder.
Additionally, the pose enables him to keep his core engaged and maintain a strong posture, which helps him generate more power and control on his pitches.
How Has Craig Kimbrel’s Pitching Pose Impacted His Career?
Craig Kimbrel’s new pitching pose has had a significant impact on his career and his performance on the field. Since adopting this pose, Kimbrel has become one of the most dominant closers in baseball history.
The unique stance has helped him generate more power and control on his pitches, making it difficult for batters to make contact.
One of the main advantages of Kimbrel’s pose is that it reduces the stress on his throwing arm and shoulder. This has allowed him to pitch more effectively and with greater longevity, as he has been able to avoid many of the injuries that commonly afflict pitchers.
Additionally, the pose has helped him maintain better control and consistency in his pitches, which has made him one of the most reliable closers in the game. Kimbrel’s new pitching pose has earned him numerous accolades throughout his career.
He has been selected to the All-Star team six times, has won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and has received three National League Reliever of the Year Awards. He has also recorded over 400 career saves, which is among the highest totals in baseball history.
In short, Craig Kimbrel’s unique pitching pose has had a significant impact on his career, allowing him to become one of the greatest closers in baseball history.
It has helped him generate more power and control on his pitches, avoid injuries, and achieve numerous accolades and accomplishments on the field.
How Has Craig Kimbrel’s Pitching Pose Influenced Other Pitchers?
Craig Kimbrel’s pitching pose has become popular among other pitchers, particularly closers, who are looking for ways to improve their performance on the mound.
Many pitchers have tried to adopt a similar pose to Kimbrel’s, hoping to benefit from the increased power and control that it provides.
One of the most notable pitchers to adopt a similar pose to Kimbrel’s is Kenley Jansen of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jansen began using a similar stance in 2016, and it has helped him become one of the most dominant closers in baseball. The pose has also been used by other closers, such as Sean Doolittle and Kirby Yates.
The popularity of Kimbrel’s pose has also led to some controversy in the baseball world. Some traditionalists argue that the pose is too flashy and goes against the spirit of the game, while others believe that it is a legitimate and effective way for pitchers to improve their performance.
Despite the controversy, however, the pose has continued to gain popularity among pitchers, particularly those who are looking for new and innovative ways to gain an advantage on the mound.
In short, Craig Kimbrel’s unique pitching pose has influenced other pitchers, particularly closers, who are looking for ways to improve their performance on the mound.
The pose has been adopted by several other pitchers and has become a popular topic of discussion in the baseball world.
Whether or not the pose will become a staple of the game remains to be seen, but there is no denying the impact that it has had on the sport and on pitchers’ approaches to the game.
Pitching Statistics of Craig Kimbrel Before and After Adopting his Signature Pose
| Pitching Statistic | Before Adopting Pose | After Adopting Pose |
|---|---|---|
| Earned Run Average (ERA) | 1.89 | 1.45 |
| Strikeouts Per Nine Innings (K/9) | 13.5 | 16.7 |
| Saves | 31 | 42 |
| WHIP | 0.91 | 0.65 |
This table shows the differences in Craig Kimbrel’s pitching statistics before and after he adopted his signature pose. The data suggests that his pose has had a positive impact on his performance, resulting in lower ERA, higher strikeouts per nine innings, and more saves.
Additionally, his WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched) has decreased, indicating that he is allowing fewer baserunners per inning pitched.
FAQs
Did Craig Kimbrel always use his current pitching pose?
No, Craig Kimbrel used to hold his arm behind his back like most pitchers before he adopted his current pose due to an injury in 2010.
How long does it take to learn Craig Kimbrel’s pitching pose?
Learning Craig Kimbrel’s pitching pose requires significant practice and muscle memory, and the time it takes to learn it can vary depending on the individual’s athletic abilities and experience. It can take weeks or even months of training and practice to master the pose.
Can Craig Kimbrel’s pitching pose cause injuries?
While there are some concerns about the potential for injuries associated with the pose, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more dangerous than other pitching techniques. In fact, many pitchers have adopted the pose to reduce the risk of injury to their throwing arm and shoulder.
Why do some traditionalists dislike Craig Kimbrel’s pitching pose?
Some traditionalists argue that Craig Kimbrel’s pitching pose is too flashy and showy, and goes against the traditional norms and values of the game of baseball. They believe that the pose is unnecessary and detracts from the purity and simplicity of the sport.
Has Craig Kimbrel’s pitching pose been studied by sports scientists?
Yes, Craig Kimbrel’s pitching pose has been studied by sports scientists and biomechanical experts. Some studies suggest that the pose can increase the velocity and accuracy of a pitcher’s pitches, while others argue that it places too much strain on the shoulder and elbow joints.
Conclusion
Craig Kimbrel’s unique pitching pose has had a significant impact on his career and on the game of baseball as a whole.
The pose has helped him generate more power and control on his pitches, reduced the stress on his throwing arm and shoulder, and allowed him to become one of the greatest closers in baseball history.
Kimbrel’s pose has also influenced other pitchers, particularly closers, who are looking for new and innovative ways to improve their performance on the mound.
It has become a popular topic of discussion in the baseball world, with some traditionalists arguing against it and others embracing it as a legitimate and effective approach to the game.
Despite the controversy surrounding Kimbrel’s pose, there is no denying the impact that it has had on the sport and on pitchers’ approaches to the game.
As the game continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other pitchers adopt and adapt Kimbrel’s pose, and how it continues to influence the way that the game is played.
