Kenley Jansen

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #8 prospect in 2011
  Jansen first gained some notoriety as a cannon-armed backstop for the Dutch squad that upset the Dominican Republic twice at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. However, he hit just .229/.310/.337 in five seasons as a catcher, and the Dodgers decided to try his arm on the mound in mid-2009. Less than a year after his first pro pitching appearance, he made his big league debut. Major leaguers had no answer for Jansen's power fastball. His heater sits in the mid-90s, reached triple digits at times and features some cutting action. He has a loose, easy delivery and the ball jumps out of his hand, making it that much more overpowering. Jansen's second pitch is a slurvy 82-84 mph slider that could become a plus pitch if he can tighten it up. He also has some feel for a changeup but rarely uses it. He does a good job of being around the strike zone considering his size and limited time on the mound. Though his command isn't pinpoint, he won't need it to be. Jansen might benefit from some Triple-A time to sharpen his slider, but after his dominant turn in Los Angeles last year, the Dodgers are counting on him for their big league bullpen. He'll be a set-up man for Jonathan Broxton for now and could emerge as a closer down the road if his slider develops
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #14 prospect in 2010
  Jansen had quite an eventful 2009. In March, he was the starting catcher for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic and helped seal a 3-2 upset of the Dominican Republic by throwing out Willy Taveras trying to steal third base in the ninth inning. By November, was the talk of the Arizona Fall League--as a reliever. In five seasons as a catcher, Jansen batted .229/.311/.337 and played just eight games above Class A. The Dodgers decided to utilize his cannon arm on the mound in late July and by the time he got to the AFL, he was routinely throwing his fastball at 95 mph and occasionally getting it to 98. He also has the makings of a good slider with two-plane break and a peak velocity of 82 mph. Los Angeles will keep him in the bullpen, so his learning curve won't be as sharp. Developing a changeup won't be as important as it would be if he were a starter, though he still has a ways to go to harness his electric stuff. Protecting him on the 40-man roster was an easy decision for the Dodgers. Jansen might be ready to start 2010 in Double-A, though he's young enough at 22 that there's no reason to rush him.