Corey Knebel
Knebel with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1991-11-26) November 26, 1991
Denton, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 24, 2014, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record13–16
Earned run average3.26
Strikeouts407
Saves72
Teams
Career highlights and awards

MLB records

  • 45 consecutive games with a strikeout by a relief pitcher

Corey Andrew Knebel (born November 26, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Early life

Knebel was born in Denton, Texas[1] to parents Jeffrey and Melissa Knebel and grew up in Bastrop County, Texas. He attended Bastrop High School, where he was a three-year letter winner and a former district MVP in baseball. He was also a member of the school's basketball team. He is a graduate of Georgetown High School, where he moved for his senior season.[2]

College career

Knebel enrolled at the University of Texas in 2011, and played college baseball for the Texas Longhorns baseball team. He became the Longhorn's closer as a freshman and tied J. Brent Cox and Charlie Thames' school records for saves in a single season with 19.[3][4] He was named the NCBWA Stopper of the Year and the Freshman of the Year by the NBCWA and Collegiate Baseball Magazine.[5] Knebel earned First Team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors.[3][4][5]

Knebel was again the Longhorn closer in 2012, finishing the year with nine saves and a 2.08 earned run average.[3] Though unable to match the accolades of his freshman season, he again earned first-team All-Big 12 honors.[3]

Knebel was suspended from the Longhorns twice in 2013, once for violating team rules and once for providing a urine sample to help a teammate beat a drug test.[6]

Professional career

Detroit Tigers

Knebel was drafted by the Detroit Tigers as the 39th pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft. This supplemental pick was the first traded draft slot in Major League history.[6] The pick was included in a 2012 trade between the Tigers and the Miami Marlins, which included Aníbal Sánchez, Omar Infante, and Jacob Turner.[7] Knebel played for the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps, the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens before being called up by the Tigers. He made his major league debut on May 24, 2014, against the Texas Rangers.[8]

Knebel pitching for the Detroit Tigers in 2014 spring training

Texas Rangers

On July 23, 2014, the Tigers traded Knebel and Jake Thompson to the Texas Rangers, in exchange for reliever Joakim Soria. After the trade, Knebel was assigned to play for the Rangers' Triple-A team, the Round Rock Express.[9] Knebel sprained the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in his throwing arm in August, ending his season.[10]

Milwaukee Brewers

On January 19, 2015, the Rangers traded Knebel, Luis Sardiñas, and Marcos Diplan to the Milwaukee Brewers for Yovani Gallardo.[11][12]

In May 2017, Knebel became the permanent closer for the Brewers, taking the job from a struggling Neftalí Feliz. On June 22, Knebel set the MLB record for most consecutive appearances with at least one strikeout by a relief pitcher at 38. The record was previously set in 2014 by Aroldis Chapman with the Cincinnati Reds. On July 19, Knebel's streak ended at 45 games after failing to record a strikeout in a blown save against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Knebel injured his left hamstring while pitching on April 5, 2018, against the Chicago Cubs and was placed on the disabled list.[13] He was activated on May 9.[14] However, Knebel struggled over his next 3 months with the Brewers, and he was demoted to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on August 24 after compiling a 2–3 record with a 5.08 ERA in 41 appearances.[15] He was brought back up on September 2,[16] and closed out the regular season in dominant fashion with 16 consecutive scoreless appearances, including 2 wins, 2 saves, and 6 holds.[17] In the 2018 postseason he posted a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings, giving up his lone run in a save of NLCS Game 1. [18]

Shortly after 2019 opening day, Knebel was dealing with soreness in his right elbow. It was eventually revealed that his right elbow had a torn UCL, which needed Tommy John surgery, putting Knebel away for the rest of 2019.[19] On December 2, Knebel was designated for assignment by the Brewers.

In the shortened 2020 season, Knebel returned and recorded a 6.08 ERA in 13+1⁄3 innings over 15 games.[20]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 2, 2020, the Brewers traded Knebel to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Leo Crawford.[21]

On May 2, 2021, Knebel was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain, an injury that kept him sidelined until August 10.[22] As a result of the injury he only appeared in 27 games for the Dodgers in 2021, including four appearances as an opener, and finished with a 4–0 record, 2.45 ERA, three saves and 30 strikeouts.[20] In the postseason, he appeared in seven games (including two as an opener), pitching 52⁄3 innings and allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 11.[20]

Philadelphia Phillies

On December 1, 2021, Knebel officially signed a 1-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[23] In 2022, Knebel made 46 appearances for the Phillies, registering a 3–5 record and 3.43 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 12 saves in 44+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 21, 2022, he was placed on the 60–day injured list with a torn shoulder capsule, and missed the remainder of the season.[24]

Personal life

Knebel married longtime girlfriend Danielle Matula on December 5, 2015, in Victoria, Texas.[25] The couple have three daughters (Ledger, Halstyn, and Kollyns) and reside in Austin, Texas.[26]

References

  1. ↑ "Corey Knebel Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights". MiLB.com Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ Dukes, Chris (June 19, 2013). "Former Bear signs big league contract". Statesman.com Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Corey Knebel". TexasSports.com. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Corona, Christian (April 16, 2012). "Sophomore All-American closer Corey Knebel: I wish the UT coaches would 'make up their mind if I'm going to be a reliever or closer'". Dallas Morning-News. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Dukes, Chris (June 21, 2011). "Baseball: Knebel named NCBWA's Stopper of the Year". Bastrop Advertiser. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Beck, Jason (June 7, 2013). "Detroit tabs Texas closer Knebel at No. 39". Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  7. ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben. "Tigers Acquire Omar Infante, Aníbal Sánchez". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  8. ↑ Kornacki, Steve (May 24, 2014). "Tigers prospect Corey Knebel roughed up in debut". FOXSports.com. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  9. ↑ Randhawa, Manny (July 23, 2014). "Tigers land All-Star reliever Soria from Rangers". MLB. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Texas Rangers scratch Alex Rios from lineup; shut down pitcher Corey Knebel | Dallas Morning News". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  11. ↑ Watkins, Calvin (January 19, 2015). "Yovani Gallardo headed to Rangers". ESPN.
  12. ↑ Baer, Bill (June 23, 2017). "Corey Knebel sets modern record for consecutive appearances with a strikeout". NBC Sports. NBC. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  13. ↑ Baer, Bill. "MLB notebook: Brewers closer Knebel out 4-6 weeks". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  14. ↑ Knebel activated from DL, rejoins Brewers 'pen
  15. ↑ "Brewers demote struggling RP Knebel to minors". August 24, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Brewers Recall Two, Outright Nick Franklin". MLB Trade Rumors. September 2, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Corey Knebel 2018 Pitching Game Log". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Corey Knebel Postseason Pitching Game Log". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Corey Knebel to have Tommy John, out for 2019". MLB. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  20. 1 2 3 "Corey Knebel Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Dodgers acquire reliever Knebel from Brewers". ESPN.com. December 3, 2020.
  22. ↑ Stephen, Eric (August 10, 2021). "Dodgers activate Corey Knebel after missing 92 games". SB Nation. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Reliever Knebel inks 1-year deal with Phils". December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Phillies Pitcher Corey Knebel Placed on the 60-ray IL". broadstbaseball.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Brewlyweds in the Offseason-Cait Covers the Bases". Cait Covers The Bases. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Phillies' Corey Knebel has a 'surprise' pitch four years in the making. But he won't tell you what it is".
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