Corey Kluber, Starting Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

Date of Birth: 4/10/1986
Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama
College: Stetson University
Nickname: Klubot

Corey Kluber, starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, was first drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2007. After three and a half years in the Padres' minor league system, they traded him to the Cleveland Indians in July, 2010. He continued in the minor leagues until September 1, 2011, when he was called up to the Indians for three games.

In 2012, Kluber pitched 63.0 innings in 12 games with the Indians. He finished the season with a 2-5 record and a 5.14 ERA. He pitched 147.1 innings in 26 games in 2013 and he finished with an 11-5 record, 136 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 3.85 ERA. He finished the 2014 season with an 18-9 record, 269 strikeouts to 51 walks, and a 2.44 ERA in 235.2 innings in 34 games. His 18 wins led the American League and he was rewarded with his first American League Cy Young award.

On May 13, 2015, Kluber had 18 strikeouts in eight shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. This tied Bob Feller's 1938 record for the most strikeouts in one game by an Indians' pitcher. Kluber finished the 2015 season with a 9-16 record, 245 strikeouts to 45 walks, and a 3.49 ERA in 222.0 innings in 32 games.

Kluber had a strong season in 2016, finishing with a 3.14 ERA. He had 18 wins to 9 losses and 936 strikeouts to 207 walks in 215.0 innings in 32 games. In the postseason, he pitched 34.1 innings in 6 games and he gave up 28 hits and 7 runs. He struck out 35 batters and walked 8 and he had a 1.83 ERA.

Kluber had another very strong season in 2017, leading all major league pitchers in ERA with a career low 2.25. He was tied with three other pitchers (Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Carrasco, and Jason Vargas) for the most wins with 18 and he was third in strikeouts with 265. He pitched 203.2 innings in 29 games. He didn't fare well, however, in the postseason, finishing with a 12.79 ERA in 2 games. In game 1 of the AL Division Series, he gave up 7 hits and 6 runs in just 2.2 innings. He gave up a total of 10 hits, 9 runs, and 4 home runs in 6.1 innings. He struck out 10 batters and walked 3.

Kluber won his second AL Cy Young award in 2017.

Kluber had another strong season in 2018, finishing with 20 wins and 7 losses, 222 strikeouts to 34 walks, and a 2.89 ERA in 215 innings in 33 games. In the postseason, he pitched 4.2 innings in 1 game and he gave up 6 hits, including 3 home runs, and 4 runs. He struck out two batters and walked two.

Kluber spent time on the DL in 2019 with a right ulna fracture. He finished the season with 2 wins and 3 losses, 38 strikeouts to 15 walks, and a 5.80 ERA in 35.2 innings in 7 games.

The Indians traded Kluber to the Texas Rangers on December 15, 2019. He pitched just one inning in one game in 2020.

Kluber became a free agent on October 30, 2020. He signed with the New York Yankees on January 27, 2021. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with right shoulder strain. He finished the season with 5 wins and 3 losses, 82 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 3.83 ERA in 80.0 innings in 16 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Kluber elected free agency on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Tampa Bay Rays a month later, on December 1st.

Kluber became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Red Sox on January 12, 2023.

Career pitching statistics for Kluber through 2021 include:

• 225 games played
• 1,422.2 innings pitched
• 103-61 win-loss record
• 1,544 strikeouts to 326 walks
• 3.19 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Corey Kluber
ESPN - Corey Kluber