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  • Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, a former pitcher for Wallace State, uncorks a pitch during a game against Chicago last Thursday. Associated Press

    Craig Kimbrel

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July 9, 2012

WALLACE STATE BASEBALL: Former Lion ready for 2nd straight All-Star Game

By Russell Moore The Cullman Times

HANCEVILLE — For the second consecutive year, former Wallace State baseball player Craig Kimbrel is among baseball’s premier players set to participate in tonight’s Major League baseball All-Star game.

Less than a year removed from a unanimous National League Rookie of the Year selection, Kimbrel hasn’t missed a beat this season, collecting a NL-high 25 saves in 33 games as the Atlanta Braves’ closer. He has recorded 56 strikeouts in 33  innings, yielded just 13 hits and blown only one save.

“There’s no doubt Craig (Kimbrel) is the best closer in the majors right now. The numbers prove that he’s the hardest to hit, plus he’s very confident right now,” Wallace State NJCAA Hall of Fame coach Randy Putman said. “Craig is definitely fun to watch, and I know it’s a good feeling to have him on your side. It’s an eight-inning game for the Braves right now because Craig has been so dominant in the ninth inning.”

Putman has visited Atlanta twice this season for games, once when the Braves were playing the Yankees and last week against the Cubs. Putman said his former pitcher has reached rock star status in Atlanta.

“It’s exciting to see. I’ve talked to Craig before those games and told him he gets major league hitters out easier than he did junior college hitters,” said Putman, who played in the minor leagues for the Kansas City Royals and San Diego  Padres. “Craig has said it’s all about feeling confident and knowing he can have success with every outing.”

Kimbrel was a third-round pick in 2008 by the Braves after pitching for Wallace State during the 2007-08 seasons. The Lee-Huntsville graduate finished 8-0 with a 1.99 ERA as a freshman, serving as a closer and spot starter. He went 9-3 with a 2.88 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 81 innings as a sophomore, pitching primarily as a starter.

After college, Kimbrel made a rapid ascent up the Braves minor league system and was named the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2009. Kimbrel made his MLB debut in 2010, finishing 4-0 with a 0.44 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.

Last season, Kimbrel was named an All-Star and NL Rookie of the Year after establishing a MLB rookie record with 46 saves. He struck out 127 batters in 77 innings and held opponents to a meager .178 batting average.

Kimbrel is one of three former Wallace State players to pitch in the major leagues over the last two seasons, joining Derek Holland of the Texas Rangers and Graham Godfrey of the Oakland A’s. The Lions have five other former players currently performing professionally in the minor leagues.

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