Philadelphia Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel is enjoying another postseason push.
He won the 2018 World Series with the Boston Red Sox, and is now a member of a Phillies team that has all the talent in the world and a golden opportunity to win it all, too.
Still elite after posting a 3.26 ERA in 69 innings during the regular season – with a 1.04 WHIP, 94 strikeouts, and 23 saves – Kimbrel actually has a very solid Hall of Fame case when all is said and done.
Reporters asked him about his chances this week, and he gave an insightful answer.
“Asked today about his Hall of Fame chances, Craig Kimbrel replied that ‘there are a couple of guys I think need to get in there before any of us even have a conversation to be on that list.’ A follow-up, if he was referring to Billy Wagner? Kimbrel: ‘I think you just said it,’” MLB insider Anthony DiComo tweeted.
Asked today about his Hall of Fame chances, Craig Kimbrel replied that “there are a couple of guys I think need to get in there before any of us even have a conversation to be on that list.”
A follow-up, if he was referring to Billy Wagner?
Kimbrel: “I think you just said it.”
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) October 18, 2023
Wagner finished with 68.1 percent of the ballots in the most recent voting process, his eighth year of eligibility.
He has two more shots to get to the required 75 percent threshold, and he has a good chance to do it.
Wagner had a 2.31 career ERA and 422 saves, and Kimbrel has a 2.40 ERA and 417 saves.
Kimbrel also has a better strikeout ratio.
If Wagner gets in – which he deserves, as he was one of the most dominant relievers of his era – Kimbrel should get in eventually, too.
He is still very much an active pitcher, though, but it’s nice to see him recognize what the pioneers like Wagner did for the game of baseball.
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Phillies Pitching Is Reaching Historic Levels In October
