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Corey Kluber

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Corey Kluber
Kluber with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians – No. 28
Starting pitcher
Born: (1986-04-10) April 10, 1986 (age 38)
Birmingham, Alabama
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2011, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
(through August 28, 2017)
Win–loss record71–48
Earned run average3.22
Strikeouts1,151
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Corey Scott Kluber (born April 10, 1986), nicknamed "Klubot",[1] is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2011.

After playing high school baseball for Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas, and collegiately for Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, Kluber was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2007, and traded to the Indians in 2010. Kluber established himself in the Indians' starting rotation in 2013. He led the American League in wins and won the American League Cy Young Award in 2014. Kluber signed a 5-year, $38.5 million contract extension with the Indians in April 2015. He was named an American League All-Star for the first time in 2016.

Amateur career

Kluber attended Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas. While pitching for the school's baseball team and amid overuse by his high school coach, Don English, Kluber developed a stress fracture in his elbow, requiring surgery and the insertion of two screws. He went unselected in the 2004 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.[2]

Coaches at Stetson University became aware of Kluber when he pitched at the World Wood Bat Championships in Jupiter, Florida, where his parents owned a condominium.[3][4] He enrolled at Stetson, where he played college baseball for the Stetson Hatters baseball team in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

As a freshman in 2005, Kluber was used as a relief pitcher. He compiled a 2–2 win–loss record with a 7.82 earned run average (ERA) in 25 innings pitched. As a sophomore, he had a 6–5 win–loss record and a 3.61 ERA in 17 games, 14 of which he started. In 2007, Kluber had a 12–2 win–loss record and a 2.05 ERA with 117 strikeouts.[2][3] That year, he was named the Atlantic Sun Conference's Pitcher of the Year, a second team member of the 2007 Ping! Baseball All-American Team and a member the American Baseball Coaches Association All-Atlantic Region Second Team in 2007.[5][4]

Professional career

San Diego Padres

Kluber was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB Draft.[6] The Padres signed Kluber, giving him a $200,000 signing bonus.[2] Kluber played for the Fort Wayne Wizards of the Class A Midwest League in 2008. On August 25, 2008, he was named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week.[7]

Kluber pitching for the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2008

Kluber played for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Class A-Advanced California League in 2009. On June 1, 2009, he was named the California League Pitcher of the Week.[7] He received a promotion to the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League in 2009, finishing the year with an 11–13 win–loss record and a 4.55 ERA.[2] On July 26, 2010, Kluber was named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week.[7] He pitched to a 6–6 win–loss record with a 3.45 ERA with the Missions, while leading the Texas League in strikeouts.[2][6]

Cleveland Indians

The Padres traded Kluber to the Cleveland Indians on July 31, 2010, in the three-team trade between the Padres, Indians, and St. Louis Cardinals that sent Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals and Ryan Ludwick to the Padres.[8] The Padres also sent Nick Greenwood to the Cardinals, and the Indians paid $2.7 million of Westbrook's remaining salary.[2][9] At the time of the trade, Kluber's minor league record was 18–24, and he was not ranked among the top thirty prospects in the Padres' farm system.[10][11] The Indians assigned Kluber to the Akron Aeros of the Class AA Eastern League. After the 2010 season, he took part in the Indians' Winter Development Program.[12] In 2011, he was added to the Indians' 40-man roster.[13]

Kluber played for the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League in 2011, pitching to a 7–11 win–loss record and a 5.56 ERA.[6] He was called up to the Indians on September 1, 2011, and made his major league debut that day. Kluber was brought up from Columbus in August 2012 to replace starting pitcher Josh Tomlin in the Indians' rotation. Tomlin was moved to the bullpen.[14]

Kluber pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2013

Kluber began the 2013 season with Columbus, but received a promotion when Brett Myers suffered an elbow injury.[6] On June 16, 2013, Kluber threw eight shutout innings in a 2–0 victory over the Washington Nationals.[15] He won the American League Player of the Week Award for the week ending June 16, 2013.[citation needed] On September 22, 2013, he became the first pitcher to strike out 14 batters in consecutive starts since Randy Johnson in 2004.[citation needed] He finished the season with an 11–5 record and a 3.85 ERA.[2]

2014 season

Kluber was named the American League Player of the Week for the week ending September 21, 2014, and the Pitcher of the Month for September 2014.[citation needed] He finished the 2014 season with an 18–9 win–loss record and a 2.44 ERA. His 18 wins were tied with Max Scherzer and Jered Weaver for the most in the American League (AL), and his ERA was the third best in the league. Additionally, Kluber led the AL in fielding-independent pitching.[10] He also struck out 269 batters in 235+2⁄3 innings, good for second-best in the major leagues behind David Price's 271.

Though the Indians missed the playoffs, the 2014 season culminated with Kluber – in just his second full season – winning the AL Cy Young Award, beating Félix Hernández in a close vote.[16] Kluber earned 17 of 30 first-place votes, with Hernandez getting the remaining 13.[17] Kluber became the fourth Indians player to win the award, following in the footsteps of Gaylord Perry, C.C. Sabathia, and Cliff Lee.[10]

2015 season

On May 13, 2015, Kluber struck out a career-high 18 batters over eight shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, earning his first win of the 2015 season.[18][19] Kluber tied Bob Feller's 77-year franchise record for strikeouts in one game, Feller having done so on October 2, 1938.[20] Despite posting a 3.49 ERA and striking out 245 batters in 222 innings, Kluber suffered from poor run support for much of the 2015 season, finishing with a 9–16 record.

2016 season

Kluber was named a member of the 2016 American League All-Star team on July 7, 2016 as a replacement for an injured Marco Estrada.[21] Kluber finished the 2016 regular season with an 18–9 record, 3.14 ERA, an AL-leading 149 ERA+, and 227 strikeouts in 215 innings.

Kluber won his first two starts of the 2016 postseason, beating the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS and the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the ALCS.[22] In Game 1 of the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, Kluber struck out nine batters in six-plus shutout innings.[1][23]

On November 7, Kluber was announced by the BBWAA as a finalist for the 2016 American League Cy Young Award, along with Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello.[24] With 98 points, Kluber finished third in the voting that was announced on November 16, behind Porcello (137) and Verlander (132).[25]

2017 season

On May 3, 2017, after six subpar starts, Kluber was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a lower back strain.[26] Upon returning from injury, Kluber's performances improved significantly.[27] On July 3, 2017 Kluber was named the AL Pitcher of the month for the month of June after he posted a 4–0 record, 1.26 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 13.4 K/9 in six starts. He won the award for the third time in his career. On August 3, 2017, Kluber struck out 11 batters and gave up 3 hits in a 5-1 complete game win against the New York Yankees, making him the fourth pitcher ever to get 8 or more strikeouts in 12 consecutive starts after Nolan Ryan, Pedro Martínez and Randy Johnson.

Pitching style

Kluber throws five pitches: a four-seam fastball, a sinker with a two-seam fastball grip, a cutter, a breaking ball, and a changeup.[28][29] His most dominating pitch is his two-seam sinker,[8][11][30] which he first learned in 2011 as a member of the Columbus Clippers.[10][31] He has also received praise for his breaking ball,[29] which variously resembles a slider and a curveball.[32]

Kluber is well known for his stoicism while on the mound.[1][33] His listed height is 6 feet 4 inches.[8]

Personal life

Kluber is an avid golfer.[33]

In November 2014, Kluber was inducted into the Stetson Athletics Hall of Fame.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Marchand, Andrew (October 26, 2016). "Could Kluber's Game 1 dominance spell doom for Cubs?". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Pluto, Terry (September 25, 2014). "Cleveland Indians never could have guessed Corey Kluber would be a star". cleveland.com. Retrieved November 13, 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  3. ^ a b Gardner, Sam (November 12, 2014). "Small school Stetson produces AL Cy Young, NL Rookie of the Year". FOX Sports. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Berry, Adam (November 13, 2014). "Stetson alumni Corey Kluber, Jacob deGrom bring pride to university". MLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  5. ^ "Corey Kluber Profile". Padres.scout.com. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d "Corey Kluber: Cy Young Award winner and role model for any pitcher who feels frustrated and forgotten – Terry Pluto". cleveland.com. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "Corey Kluber Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c Kepner, Tyler (March 15, 2015). "Corey Kluber, Indians' Ace, Rises as Precisely as His Two-Seam Fastball Dips". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  9. ^ Anthony Castrovince. "Westbrook to Cards; Ludwick to Padres". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c d Kepner, Tyler (November 12, 2014). "Cy Young Winners: Clayton Kershaw Is Unanimous, Corey Kluber Is Unexpected". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Keri, Jonah (October 26, 2016). "Breakdown: Corey Kluber two-seamer clinic the difference in Game 1 of World Series". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  12. ^ "Indians prospects ready for Winter Development Program". Mlb.com (Major League Baseball Advanced Media). Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  13. ^ "Entire 40-Man Roster Signed For 2011". Cubs.scout.com. March 12, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  14. ^ Bastian, Jordan (August 2, 2012). "Acta equally puzzled by Lowe's struggles". Mlb.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  15. ^ Emery, Mark (June 16, 2013). "Clutch Kluber steals show with scoreless start". Indians.MLB.com. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  16. ^ Draper, Kevin (November 12, 2014). "Clayton Kershaw And Corey Kluber Are Your Cy Young Winners". Deadspin. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  17. ^ Axisa, Mike (November 12, 2014). "Indians' Corey Kluber named 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  18. ^ Rymer, Zachary D. (May 13, 2015). "Corey Kluber Gets Back on Track with an 18-K Start for the Ages". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  19. ^ Grantland Staff (May 14, 2015). "Lightning Round: Appreciating Corey Kluber's 18-Strikeout Masterpiece". Grantland. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  20. ^ http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1938/B10021CLE1938.htm
  21. ^ Bastian, Jordan (July 8, 2017). "Kluber going to All-Star Game for first time". MLB.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  22. ^ Shafer, Jacob (October 24, 2016). "Indians May Need Corey Kluber's Best Madison Bumgarner Imitation in World Series". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  23. ^ Bastian, Jordan; Muskat, Carrie (October 26, 2016). "Indians shut out Cubs in World Series Game 1". MLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  24. ^ Perry, Dayn (November 7, 2016). "2016 MVP, Cy Young, Manager, Rookie of the Year finalists announced". CBSsports.com. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  25. ^ Lauber, Scott (November 16, 2016). "Rick Porcello wins AL Cy Young, despite fewer first-place votes than Justin Verlander". ESPN. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  26. ^ Bastian, Jordan. "Lower back strain lands Corey Kluber on 10-day DL". MLB. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  27. ^ Beller, Michael (June 19, 2017). "Indians ace Corey Kluber is diversifying his pitch selection". SI.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  28. ^ "Player Card: Corey Kluber". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  29. ^ a b Ley, Tom (July 31, 2017). "How Corey Kluber Started Kicking So Much Ass". Deadspin. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  30. ^ Baumann, Michael (August 18, 2015). "Rubik's Klube: Corey Kluber's Fascinating Reinvention by Reversion". Grantland. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  31. ^ Bastian, Jordan (August 11, 2014). "Corey Kluber has rain to thank for rise to game's elite". MLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  32. ^ Sarris, Eno (August 5, 2015). "What is Corey Kluber's Breaking Ball?". FanGraphs. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  33. ^ a b Hannan, Sheehan (December 19, 2014). "Most Interesting People 2015: Corey Kluber". Cleveland Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
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