Kenley Jansen, the dominant closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. Known for his electric fastball, devastating slider, and most notably, his cutter, Jansen has been a dominant force on the mound for years.
But what exactly makes him so good? In this blog post, we will delve into the factors that contribute to Jansen’s success, including his signature pitch, other pitches in his arsenal, and his overall pitching skills.
We will also compare him to other elite closers in the game, such as Mariano Rivera and Aroldis Chapman, to better understand Jansen’s place in baseball history.
Through this exploration, we hope to gain a deeper appreciation for what makes Kenley Jansen one of the greatest pitchers of our time.
Kenley Jansen’s Cutter
The cutter is a type of fastball that has lateral movement, or a cutting action, that breaks away from the hitter’s bat. It is thrown with similar velocity and arm action to a fastball but has a different grip and release point, which gives it its unique movement.
Jansen’s cutter is known for its late movement and high spin rate. This means that the pitch has a sharp break at the last moment, making it difficult for hitters to make solid contact.
Jansen’s cutter also has a high spin rate, which refers to the rate at which the ball spins as it travels toward the plate. A higher spin rate allows the pitch to move more and stay on its trajectory for longer, making it harder to hit.
The cutter is arguably Jansen’s most important pitch and has been a key factor in his success. He has used the pitch to great effect in both the regular season and postseason games, consistently getting batters out with their movement and velocity.
Jansen’s ability to use the cutter as a strikeout pitch has made him dominant closer and many opposing hitters dread facing him in clutch situations.
In recent years, Jansen has been able to increase the spin rate on his cutter, making it even more effective. The increase in spin rate can be attributed to Jansen’s work with Dodgers pitching coach, Rick Honeycutt, and his use of technology to refine his mechanics.
Jansen’s improvement in spin rate has allowed him to get even more movement on his cutter and has made it even harder for hitters to make contact.
Overall, Jansen’s cutter is a pitch that has set him apart from other closers in the game. It’s late movement and high spin rate, combined with Jansen’s exceptional control and velocity, make it a weapon that has earned him a reputation as one of the best in the business.
Other Pitches in Jansen’s Arsenal
Jansen’s fastball is another key pitch in his arsenal. Although he primarily relies on his cutter, Jansen’s fastball is still an effective pitch, especially when thrown in conjunction with his cutter. He uses his fastball to change speeds and keep hitters off-balance, often throwing it at 95-98 mph.
Jansen’s slider is a breaking pitch that he uses to complement his cutter and fastball. His slider has a similar movement to his cutter, but with a different release point and grip.
Jansen uses his slider to keep hitters guessing and to expand the strike zone, often throwing it in two-strike counts.
Having multiple effective pitches is crucial for a pitcher’s success in the major leagues, and Jansen is no exception. By having multiple pitches in his arsenal, Jansen is able to keep hitters off-balance and make them more likely to swing and miss.
His ability to locate all three of his pitches effectively makes him a more complete pitcher and a tougher matchup for opposing hitters.
Jansen’s arsenal of pitches has been a key factor in his ability to consistently get batters out and close out games for the Dodgers.
Jansen’s Pitching Skills
Jansen’s command and control are among his most impressive skills as a pitcher. He has exceptional control over his pitches and is able to consistently throw strikes.
This command allows him to work the corners of the plate and keep hitters guessing, often leading to weak contact or strikeouts.
In addition to his command, Jansen has the ability to locate his pitches effectively. This means that he can throw his pitches exactly where he wants to, making it difficult for hitters to make solid contact.
He is able to locate his pitches both in and out of the strike zone, allowing him to keep hitters off-balance and get ahead in the count.
Jansen’s pitch sequencing and ability to keep hitters off-balance are also key factors in his success. He is able to mix up his pitches effectively, using his cutter, fastball, and slider in various combinations to keep hitters guessing.
Jansen is also able to change speeds and locations effectively, making it difficult for hitters to time his pitches. His ability to keep hitters off-balance often leads to weak contact or strikeouts, and has made him one of the toughest pitchers to face in the late innings of a game.
Overall, Jansen’s exceptional command, ability to locate his pitches effectively, and skillful pitch sequencing make him one of the most complete pitchers in baseball.
His ability to consistently get batters out and close out games for the Dodgers is a testament to his skills as a pitcher and his value to the team.
Comparison to Other Elite Closers
One of the most notable comparisons that can be made to Jansen is to Mariano Rivera, widely regarded as one of the greatest closers of all time. Rivera was known for his signature cutter, a pitch that he used to devastating effect throughout his career.
Jansen’s cutter has drawn comparisons to Rivera’s, with its late movement and high spin rate. While Jansen’s cutter may not be quite as effective as Rivera’s was, it is still one of the most feared pitchers in baseball and a key weapon in his arsenal.
Jansen also draws comparisons to other current elite closers like Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees and Liam Hendriks of the Chicago White Sox.
Chapman is known for his high-velocity fastball and devastating slider, while Hendriks relies heavily on his fastball and uses his slider as a secondary pitch.
While Jansen’s repertoire may not be as flashy as Chapman’s or Hendriks’, his ability to locate his pitches effectively and keep hitters off-balance sets him apart as a more complete pitcher.
What sets Jansen apart from other elite closers is his ability to use all of his pitches effectively and consistently get batters out.
While other closers may rely heavily on one or two pitches, Jansen is able to use his entire repertoire to keep hitters guessing and get ahead in the count.
His exceptional command and ability to locate his pitches effectively make him a more complete pitcher than many of his contemporaries and have helped him achieve sustained success as one of the top closers in baseball.
Kenley Jansen’s Pitch Repertoire
| Pitch Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Cutter | Late movement, high spin rate, most effective pitch |
| Fastball | Mid-to-high 90s velocity, used to set up other pitches |
| Slider | Sharp break, used as a secondary pitch |
| Splitter | Devastating when executed properly, used sparingly |
| Command | Exceptional control and ability to locate pitches effectively |
| Pitch Sequencing | Skillful use of multiple pitches to keep hitters off-balance |
This table highlights some of the key characteristics of Jansen’s pitching repertoire, including his signature cutter, his use of multiple effective pitches, and his exceptional command and control. The table also emphasizes the importance of pitch sequencing in Jansen’s success, as he is able to use all of his pitches effectively to keep hitters guessing and get ahead in the count.
FAQs
How long has Kenley Jansen been pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Jansen has been pitching for the Dodgers since 2010, making his major league debut on July 24th of that year.
What other teams have Jansen played for in his career?
Jansen has only played for the Los Angeles Dodgers throughout his entire career.
Has Jansen won any individual awards or honors?
Yes, Jansen has won several awards and honors throughout his career, including three All-Star selections and the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award in 2017.
How has Jansen’s performance been in the postseason?
Jansen has been a key part of the Dodgers’ postseason success in recent years, recording 14 saves and a 2.14 ERA in 36 appearances across the 2013-2020 postseasons.
How does Jansen compare to other great Dodgers closers of the past?
Jansen is often compared to other great Dodgers closers of the past, such as Eric Gagne and Jeff Shaw. While each of these pitchers had their own unique strengths and abilities, Jansen’s combination of exceptional command, multiple effective pitches, and skillful pitch sequencing make him one of the most complete pitchers in Dodger’s history.
Conclusion
Kenley Jansen’s success as a closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers can be attributed to a combination of factors, including his signature cutter pitch, multiple effective pitches, exceptional command and control, and skillful pitch sequencing.
His ability to consistently locate his pitches effectively and keep hitters off-balance has made him one of the most complete pitchers in baseball and one of the toughest matchups for opposing hitters in the late innings of a game.
While Jansen may not have the flashiest repertoire or the highest velocity fastball among elite closers, his ability to use all of his pitches effectively and consistently get batters out sets him apart as a more complete pitcher.
His increased spin rate on his cutter in recent years has only added to his effectiveness, putting him into truly elite company.
Overall, Jansen’s success as a closer is a testament to his exceptional skills as a pitcher and his value to the Dodgers. He has been a key part of the team’s success in recent years, helping lead them to multiple playoff appearances and a World Series championship in 2020.
