| Corey Knebel | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Knebel with theMilwaukee Brewers in 2017 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-11-26)November 26, 1991 (age 33) Denton, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 24, 2014, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 13–16 |
| Earned run average | 3.26 |
| Strikeouts | 407 |
| Saves | 72 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
MLB records
| |
Corey Andrew Knebel (born November 26, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theDetroit Tigers,Milwaukee Brewers,Los Angeles Dodgers andPhiladelphia Phillies.
Knebel was born inDenton, Texas[1] to parents Jeffrey and Melissa Knebel and grew up inBastrop County, Texas. He attendedBastrop 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 ofGeorgetown High School, where he moved for his senior season.[2]
Knebel enrolled at theUniversity of Texas in 2011, and playedcollege baseball for theTexas Longhorns baseball team. He became the Longhorn'scloser as a freshman and tiedJ. Brent Cox and Charlie Thames' school records for saves in a single season with 19.[3][4] He was named theNCBWA Stopper of the Year and the Freshman of the Year by the NBCWA andCollegiate Baseball Magazine.[5] Knebel earnedFirst 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 2.08earned 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]
Knebel was drafted by theDetroit Tigers as the 39th pick in the2013 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 theMiami Marlins, which includedAníbal Sánchez,Omar Infante, andJacob Turner.[7] Knebel played for the Class-AWest Michigan Whitecaps, the Double-AErie SeaWolves and the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens before being called up by the Tigers. He made his major league debut on May 24, 2014, against theTexas Rangers.[8]
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On July 23, 2014, the Tigers traded Knebel andJake Thompson to theTexas Rangers, in exchange for relieverJoakim Soria. After the trade, Knebel was assigned to play for the Rangers' Triple-A team, theRound Rock Express.[9] Knebel sprained theulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in his throwing arm in August, ending his season.[10]
On January 19, 2015, the Rangers traded Knebel,Luis Sardiñas, andMarcos Diplan to theMilwaukee Brewers forYovani Gallardo.[11][12]
In May 2017, Knebel became the permanent closer for the Brewers, taking the job from a strugglingNeftalí Feliz.[citation needed] 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 byAroldis Chapman with theCincinnati 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.[citation needed]
Knebel injured his left hamstring while pitching on April 5, 2018, against theChicago Cubs and was placed on thedisabled 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 theColorado 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 in13+1⁄3 innings over 15 games.[20]
On December 2, 2020, the Brewers traded Knebel to theLos 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 anopener, 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 anopener), pitching 52⁄3 innings and allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 11.[20]
On December 1, 2021, Knebel signed a one-year contract with thePhiladelphia 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 in44+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 21, 2022, Knebel was placed on the 60–day injured list with a torn shoulder capsule, and missed the remainder of the season.[24] He became a free agent following the season.
On February 13, 2024, Knebel signed a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox.[25] In 12 appearances split between the rookie–levelArizona Complex League White Sox, High–AWinston-Salem Dash, and Triple–ACharlotte Knights, he accumulated a 5.91 ERA with 12 strikeouts across10+2⁄3 innings pitched. Knebel was released by the White Sox organization on August 1.[26]
On August 13, 2024, Knebel signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels.[27] In 6 appearances for the Triple–ASalt Lake Bees, he struggled to a 25.07 ERA with 6 strikeouts over4+2⁄3 innings pitched. Knebel asked for his release from the Angels organization on September 8.[28]
Knebel married longtime girlfriend Danielle Matula on December 5, 2015, inVictoria, Texas.[29] The couple have three daughters (Ledger, Halstyn, and Kollyns) and reside inAustin, Texas.[30]
