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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 2017 season)
Win–loss record76–48
Earned run average3.13
Strikeouts1,201
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Corey Scott Kluber (born April 10, 1986), nicknamed "Didi's Bit",[1] is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut on September 1, 2011, as a member of the Indians. Kluber throws and bats right-handed, stands 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m), and weighs 215 pounds (98 kg).

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Kluber played high school baseball for Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas. He then attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, 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. A two-time MLB All-Star, he led the American League in wins and won the Cy Young Award in 2014, his first full season in the major leagues. Kluber signed a five-year, $38.5 million contract extension with the Indians in April 2015.

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]

Kluber began to draw notice from coaches at Stetson University when he pitched at the World Wood Bat Championships in Jupiter, Florida. There, his parents owned a condominium. He enrolled at Stetson, where he played college baseball for the Stetson Hatters baseball team in the Atlantic Sun Conference.[3][4]

As a freshman in 2005, Kluber performed as a relief pitcher, compiling a 2–2 win–loss record with a 7.82 earned run average (ERA) in 25 innings pitched. As a sophomore, he produced a 6–5 win–loss record and a 3.61 ERA in 17 games, including 14 starts. 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.[4][5]

Professional career

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres selected Kluber in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB draft.[6] Kluber signed with the Padres, receiving 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

2011−13 seasons: Early career

The Padres traded Kluber to the Cleveland Indians on July 31, 2010, in a three-team trade also involving the St. Louis Cardinals. Cleveland sent Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals and Ryan Ludwick to the Padres.[8] The Padres 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] The Indians called up him up 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: Cy Young Award

Kluber was named the American League Player of the Week on 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 Gaylord Perry, CC Sabathia, and Cliff Lee.[10] He also became the lowest-drafted player (134th overall) since Bret Saberhagen in 1989 (480th) to win an AL Cy Young Award.[18]

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.[19][20] Kluber tied Bob Feller's 77-year franchise record for strikeouts in one game, Feller having done so on October 2, 1938.[21] 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, his first selection, as a replacement for an injured Marco Estrada.[22] Kluber was the winning pitcher in the All-Star Game.[23] He 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, defeating the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) and the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS).[24] In Game 1 of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs, Kluber struck out nine batters in six-plus shutout innings.[1][25] He earned the win in both Games 1 and 4, and started Game 7.[23] Though the Cubs won Game 7 and claimed the Series, Kluber's efforts help boost Cleveland's opportunities: he posted a 1.83 ERA in six postseason starts.[26]

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.[27] With 98 points, Kluber finished third in the voting that was announced on November 16, behind Porcello (137) and Verlander (132).[28] He was, however, selected as the AL Sporting News Starting Pitcher of the Year.[29]

2017 season

On May 3, 2017, after six subpar starts, the Indians placed Kluber on the 10-day disabled list due to a lower back strain. He had posted a 3−2 record, 5.06 ERA, 41 strikeouts and 13 walks in 37+1⁄3 innings.[30] Upon returning from injury, Kluber's performances improved significantly.[31] On July 3, 2017, Kluber was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for June after he posted a 4–0 record, 43 IP, 1.26 ERA, 64 SO, 0.67 WHIP and 13.4 K/9 in six starts. He won the award for the third time in his career.[32] He was selected to the American League team in the 2017 All-Star Game, but chose not to play.[33] On August 3, 2017, Kluber struck out 11 batters and gave up three hits in a 5−1 complete game win against the New York Yankees, making him the fourth pitcher ever to get eight or more strikeouts in 12 consecutive starts. The preceding three were Nolan Ryan, Pedro Martínez and Randy Johnson.[34] He won his second AL Pitcher of the Month Award of the season in August, totaling a 5−1 record and 1.96 ERA. The Indians went 19−9.[35]

Kluber hurled his third shutout of the season with 12 strikeouts on September 12, 2017, versus the Detroit Tigers, giving the Indians their 20th consecutive win. That tied the 2002 Oakland Athletics for the American League record. Kluber scattered five hits while allowing no walks and struck out eight.[36] He won another AL Player of the Week Award for September 17 after becoming the third Indians pitcher with multiple 250-strikeout seasons.[37] In 22 starts from June 1 through the penultimate, his ERA was 1.62.[38] Named the AL Pitcher of the Month for September, it was Kluber's such third award of the season. His record included a 5−0 W−L, 0.84 ERA, 50 strikeouts and 43 innings pitched. The Indians' record for the month was 25−4, and included the majority of a 22-game win streak that set the American League record, with Kluber helping Cleveland to three of those victories in September.[39]

In his most dominant season to date, Kluber concluded the 2017 season leading the major leagues or tying for the lead in each of ERA (2.25), wins (18), complete games (five), shutouts (three),[40] WHIP (0.869), SO/BB (7.36), ERA+ (202), and WAR for pitchers (8.0). He also led the AL in H/9 (6.2) and BB/9 (1.6).[41] His ERA was the lowest for an Indians pitcher to qualify for the ERA title since Gaylord Perry in 1972.[39]

Awards and achievements

Awards received
Name of award Times Dates Ref
American League Pitcher of the Month 5 2014 September, 2016 August,
2017 June, August & September 		[32][35][39]
American League Player of the Week 4 2013 Jun 16th, 2014 Sep 21st,
2017 Jun 25th & Sept 17th 		[37]
Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year 1 2007 [4]
Bob Feller Man of the Year 1 2014
Cy Young Award 1 2014 [16]
Major League Baseball All-Star 2 2016, 2017 [22][33]
The Sporting News American League Starting Pitcher of the Year 1 2016 [29]
American League statistical leader
Category Times Dates
Adjusted ERA+ leader 2 2016, 2017
Complete games leader 2 2015, 2017
ERA champion 1 2017
Games started leader 1 2014
Losses leader 1 2015
Shutouts leader 2 2016, 2017
Strikeout-to-walk ratio leader 1 2017
Walks plus hits per inning pitched leader 1 2017
Wins above replacement leader for pitchers 2 2014, 2017
Winning percentage leader 1 2017
Wins leader 2 2014, 2017
Notes:
Through 2017 season. Per Baseball-Reference.com.

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.[42][43] His most dominating pitch is his two-seam sinker,[8][11][44] which he first learned in 2011 as a member of the Columbus Clippers.[10][45] He has also received praise for his breaking ball,[43] which variously resembles a slider and a curveball.[46]

Kluber is well known for his stoicism while on the mound.[1][47] His listed height is 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m).[8]

Personal life

Kluber and his wife, Amanda, have three children, named Kendall, Kennedy, and Kamden.[48]

Kluber is an avid golfer.[47]

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

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Corey Kluber.

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 d 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. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (July 31, 2010). "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. ^ a b 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. ^ Weinrib, Bob (September 23, 2017). "Before they were postseason bound: Indians". Indians.MLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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)
  21. ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: Detroit Tigers 4, Cleveland Indians 1 (1)". www.retrosheet.org.
  22. ^ a b Bastian, Jordan (July 8, 2016). "Kluber going to All-Star Game for first time". Indians.MLB.com. Retrieved July 8, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  23. ^ a b Kane, Colleen (November 1, 2016). "Indians ace Corey Kluber going for rare feat in Game 7 World Series start". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  24. ^ 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)
  25. ^ 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)
  26. ^ Randhawa, Manny (October 1, 2017). "Postseason perfect 10: Playoff field impressive: Led by Dodgers and Indians, 2017 survivors have very few flaws". MLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  27. ^ Perry, Dayn (November 7, 2016). "2016 MVP, Cy Young, Manager, Rookie of the Year finalists announced". CBSsports.com. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  28. ^ Lauber, Scott (November 16, 2016). "Rick Porcello wins AL Cy Young, despite fewer first-place votes than Justin Verlander". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  29. ^ a b McGuire, Justin (October 26, 2016). "Sporting News' 2016 AL All-Star team: Trout, Betts, Britton lead the way". The Sporting News. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  30. ^ Bastian, Jordan (May 3, 2017). "Lower back strain lands Corey Kluber on 10-day DL". MLB.com. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  31. ^ Beller, Michael (June 19, 2017). "Indians ace Corey Kluber is diversifying his pitch selection". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite magazine}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  32. ^ a b Staff Report (July 3, 2017). "Kluber named AL Pitcher of the Month for June". The News-Herald. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  33. ^ a b Meisel, Zack (July 7, 2017). "Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber won't pitch in the All-Star Game". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  34. ^ Hoynes, Paul (August 3, 2017). "Cleveland Indians beat Yankees, 5−1, as Corey Kluber throws 3-hitter with 11 strikeouts". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  35. ^ a b Beery, Kyle (September 3, 2017). "Kluber earns AL Pitcher of Month honors". MLB.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
  36. ^ Jaffe, Jay (September 13, 2017). "Corey Kluber's shutout continues Indians rotation's excellence amidst 20-game streak". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  37. ^ a b Noga, Joe (September 18, 2017). "Cleveland Indians pitcher Corey Kluber earns American League Player of the Week honors". Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  38. ^ Kepner, Tyler (September 30, 2017). "M.L.B. awards: Who deserves to win". The New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  39. ^ a b c Noga, Joe (October 2, 2017). "Cleveland Indians' Corey Kluber named American League Pitcher of Month for September". Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  40. ^ Thornburg, Chad (October 1, 2017). "League leaders: Stanton, Judge, Altuve soar". MLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  41. ^ "2017 Major League Baseball pitching leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  42. ^ "Player Card: Corey Kluber". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  43. ^ 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)
  44. ^ Baumann, Michael (August 18, 2015). "Rubik's Klube: Corey Kluber's Fascinating Reinvention by Reversion". Grantland. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  45. ^ 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)
  46. ^ 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)
  47. ^ a b Hannan, Sheehan (December 19, 2014). "Most Interesting People 2015: Corey Kluber". Cleveland Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2017. {{cite magazine}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  48. ^ Cleveland 19 Digital Team (December 8, 2016). "Corey Kluber welcomes third child". WOIO Cleveland 19 News. Retrieved October 1, 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

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