ChapelHillMatt
Approaching Buddy Hernandez Territory
I haven't checked the numbers but I can't imagine anyone more dominant, not even Smoltz.
DOTW 9/4/'13: Is Kimbrel the best closer this organization has ever had?
- Thread starter ChapelHillMatt
- Start date
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
I would take Smoltz because he was one of the greatest clutch pitchers of all time. Kimbrel is really not tested in the playoffs and he did blow game 162 in 2011 to seal to collapse. Its not really a knock on Kimbrel as it is a man crush on Smoltz.
Dalyn
Fredi Gonzalez Supporter
Smoltz is awesome. No doubt.
I would tend to agree. Until Kimbrel can prove himself in a tight playoff series, Smoltz is still the man. I have no doubt Kimbrel can step up and do it in the playoffs, but he still has to prove it.
ProbationDeac
High School Draftee
I love Smoltz but Kimbrel is incredible. I hope he does well in the playoffs this year as I expect he will given the opportunity.
Bye Week
Arizona Fall Leaguer
His 3 year run could be the best in the history of MLB.
2010 isn't fair to blame on Kimbrel. Cox should have left him in the game also. He had thrown 20IP in MLB up to that point. We were handcuffed without Wagner though.
The guy has a career ERA of 1.32, 0.89WHIP, .153BAA, 15.1K/9IP, .402OPS allowed and 133 saves in 147 chances (8 of the blown saves were his rookie year).
Kimbrel is flat out incredible and has dominated major league hitters like no other RP ever has, period.
He is the best closer to ever wear a Braves uniform and I am the biggest Smoltz fan in the world. I would rather have Smoltz start game 7 and Kimbrel close it out.
2010 isn't fair to blame on Kimbrel. Cox should have left him in the game also. He had thrown 20IP in MLB up to that point. We were handcuffed without Wagner though.
The guy has a career ERA of 1.32, 0.89WHIP, .153BAA, 15.1K/9IP, .402OPS allowed and 133 saves in 147 chances (8 of the blown saves were his rookie year).
Kimbrel is flat out incredible and has dominated major league hitters like no other RP ever has, period.
He is the best closer to ever wear a Braves uniform and I am the biggest Smoltz fan in the world. I would rather have Smoltz start game 7 and Kimbrel close it out.
That game is on Bobby Cox and Brooks Conrad. Bobby should have never taken Kimbrel out for Mike Dunn. Kimbrel looked dominant out there, despite the 2 hits. Conrad makes the routine play and we go to the 9th all tied up.
I get what you are saying and while Kimbrel does have the better underlying statistics I still believe that Smoltz was better. Its really the same question as who I would rather sleep with. Kate Upton now or Jennifer Annistan of 10 years ago. How about both?
zitothebrave
Connoisseur of Minors
From 2002-2004 Smoltz saved 144 games and blew 13. In Kimbrel's first 3 seasons as a closer he saved 132 games and blew 14. Pretty much identical.
That said Kimbrel>All
Smolt was more automatic. Kimbrel just goes about his business in a more dominant fashion. Smoltz was just my all time favorite Brave so I'm partial.
weso1
<B>Clique Leader</B>
This would've been a great DOTW by the way. Need to get folks to post this kind of stuff in the off season especially when the board hits a bit of a lul. Great question and I think he is. That is really saying something about Kimbrel as Smoltz had an amazing run as a closer. With that in mind Kimbrel is basically John Rocker without any of the baggage and with really good control.
I mean... I just don't think we'll ever see a reliever put up the numbers Kimbrel did in 2012. A freaking .654 WHIP. We're all looking at Kimbrel this season and thinking... wow... he's in decline with his .850 WHIP and only 13 K's/9. Smoltz didn't come close to Kimbrel's 2012.
I mean... I just don't think we'll ever see a reliever put up the numbers Kimbrel did in 2012. A freaking .654 WHIP. We're all looking at Kimbrel this season and thinking... wow... he's in decline with his .850 WHIP and only 13 K's/9. Smoltz didn't come close to Kimbrel's 2012.
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
He still gave up two baserunners and put Bobby in a bind. So, yes, he played a part in it.
How was he more automatic? How is it possible to be more automatic than Kimbrel. Kimbrel has a career Era of 1.33. Smoltz was a great closer but Kimbrel is better.
I still take Smoltz over Kimbrel.
Kimbrel has a few outings where his control just isn't there and has to rely on putting it in play.
Smoltz was still a pitcher first, thrower second. Kimbrel is getting there though. I feel like Kimbrel falls in love with his curveball/slider too much sometimes (not that they're bad pitches).
Kimbrel with a lead makes me feel comfortable, Smoltz made me feel like it was a done deal.
They're both pretty much automatic, but it's the difference between me saying Kimbrel was a 99.7% sure thing, and Smoltz was a 99.8% sure thing.
Kimbrel has a few outings where his control just isn't there and has to rely on putting it in play.
Smoltz was still a pitcher first, thrower second. Kimbrel is getting there though. I feel like Kimbrel falls in love with his curveball/slider too much sometimes (not that they're bad pitches).
Kimbrel with a lead makes me feel comfortable, Smoltz made me feel like it was a done deal.
They're both pretty much automatic, but it's the difference between me saying Kimbrel was a 99.7% sure thing, and Smoltz was a 99.8% sure thing.
He is a far better pitcher now than he was in 2010. Just like Smoltz was a far better pitcher in 1991 than he was in 1988.
Another thing of note, Smoltz was dominating during the peak years of the steroids era as closer.
Kimbrel is dominating in an era where pitching has made a comeback the last few years.
In the playoffs, I probably take Smoltz 6/10, just because he can go multiple innings.
Kimbrel is dominating in an era where pitching has made a comeback the last few years.
In the playoffs, I probably take Smoltz 6/10, just because he can go multiple innings.