Craig Kimbrel sets Rookie Record

From: Elliott

Congratulations to the Atlanta Braves rookie closer, Craig Kimbrel, who set the Major League record for first half saves by a rookie yesterday by notching his 27th against the Colorado Rockies. The previous mark was held by Jonathon Palpebon of the Boston Red Sox. Kimbrel had three saves in the Braves' four-game sweep of Colorado and is 27 of 32 on the year. He is much more effective than earlier in the year when he was struggling with control and giving up the 0-2 hit. Kimbrel is on pace for 48 saves, which would crush the full-season rookie mark set last season by Neftali Feliz (40), not to mention 127 strikeouts, which would be the third most by a rookie relief pitcher. What does the fact that Feliz was drafted by the Braves say about their scouting? For all the Braves fans who suffered through the Alejandro Pena, Jeff Reardon years and their inability to win the big one, plus the Mark Wohlers and John Rocker meltdowns, having Kimbrel man the closer spot for the next 10 years is exciting. Not bad for a guy from Wallace State Community College. Of note, the Braves selected Kimbrel's younger brother Matt in the 32 round.