VIDEO: Craig Kimbrel's First Inning With Cubs in Triple-A Was Completely Dominant
By Michael Luciano

Who knew that a guy with more saves than hits allowed would be difficult for Triple-A batters to hit?
In order to shake off the rust that accrued after he lasted until early June before signing with a team, Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel is getting back into the swing of things for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. In a scoreless inning against the Sacramento River Cats, Kimbrel was his trademark unhittable self.
kimbrel in sacramento pitching for iowa cubbies. pic.twitter.com/LDphGsFBXY
— fajita (@fajita43) June 18, 2019
Kimbrel threw eight pitches, recording a flyout, groundout and strikeout. For not having pitched a competitive game in eight months, that's not too shabby.
Craig Kimbrel’s first inning of work in a (Iowa) Cubs uniform: 8 pitches (6 strikes), flyout, groundout, strikeout.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 18, 2019
Kimbrel was said to be touching 95 on the gun with his heater. While it's a far cry from the triple-digit fastball he showed off last year, he remains just as unhittable as he was last season, even if he's only two-thirds of the way back to his old self.
Easy 1-2-3 for Craig Kimbrel as he reached 95 on the gun. #RiverCats20 #Cubs #Kimbrel #CraigKimbrel #Rehab #Respect ?@Cubs @IowaCubs pic.twitter.com/Jubzn2Hzmt
— River Cat Tales #ForeverRC ? (@R_CatTales) June 18, 2019
Once Kimbrel gets back up to the 98 MPH range, expect a call up. Given how shambolic and patchwork the Cubs bullpen has been this season, expect it to come sooner rather than later.