Hitting a baseball is one of the most difficult tasks in sports. With pitches varying in speed, movement, and breaking point, batters must possess a high level of skill and quick reaction time to make contact with the ball.
Kenley Jansen, the star closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is widely regarded as one of the toughest pitchers to hit in baseball. Jansen’s diverse repertoire of pitches, excellent control and command, and deceptive delivery make him a formidable opponent for any batter.
In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why Jansen is so hard to hit and how his skills have made him one of the most dominant pitchers in the game today.
Jansen’s Repertoire of Pitches
Kenley Jansen’s diverse range of pitches is one of the main reasons why he is such a difficult pitcher to hit. Jansen throws four primary pitches: a fastball, a cutter, a slider, and a split-finger fastball.
Jansen’s fastball is his primary pitch, and it can reach speeds of up to 98 miles per hour. He has excellent control over the pitch, and he can locate it effectively both inside and outside the strike zone. Jansen’s fastball has a straight trajectory, which makes it a difficult pitch to track for batters.
Jansen’s cutter is his second-most-used pitch, and it moves sharply and breaks late. Jansen throws his cutter with the same arm motion as his fastball, which makes it difficult for batters to differentiate between the two pitches.
Jansen’s cutter moves away from right-handed batters and in towards left-handed batters, making it a very effective pitch against both types of hitters.
Jansen’s slider is another pitch that is very difficult for batters to hit. Jansen’s slider has a sharp downward break, which causes it to drop suddenly as it approaches the plate.
Batters have a difficult time tracking the pitch, especially when Jansen throws it in combination with his fastball or cutter.
Finally, Jansen’s split-finger fastball is another pitch that has contributed to his success as a pitcher. The split-finger fastball is a variation of the fastball that has a sudden drop as it approaches the plate.
Jansen’s split-finger fastball is particularly effective against right-handed batters, as it moves away from them and drops suddenly, making it very difficult to hit.
Overall, Jansen’s diverse range of pitches, coupled with his excellent control and command, make him a formidable opponent for any batter.
Batters must be able to recognize and react quickly to the different pitches that Jansen throws, which is a daunting task even for the most experienced hitters.
Jansen’s Control and Command
In addition to his diverse range of pitches, Kenley Jansen is known for his exceptional control and command on the mound. Jansen has the ability to throw each of his pitches with precision and accuracy, which makes it difficult for batters to make solid contact with the ball.
Jansen’s deceptive delivery is another aspect of his game that contributes to his effectiveness on the mound. Jansen’s delivery is unorthodox, and he hides the ball well, making it difficult for batters to pick up his pitches.
Jansen also has a long stride and a quick arm action, which makes his pitches appear faster than they actually are.
Jansen’s control and command also make it difficult for batters to predict what pitch is coming. Jansen has excellent control over all of his pitches, which allows him to throw them in any count or situation.
Batters are often left guessing at what pitch is coming, which puts them at a disadvantage and makes it difficult for them to adjust and react quickly.
Furthermore, Jansen’s ability to throw strikes consistently and keep the ball low in the strike zone forces batters to swing early in the count, which results in weak contact or missed swings.
Jansen also has the ability to throw his pitches in different locations and at different speeds, which keeps batters off balance and makes it difficult for them to time his pitches.
In summary, Jansen’s control and command on the mound, coupled with his deceptive delivery, make it difficult for batters to pick up his pitches and predict what is coming.
This, in turn, leads to weak contact, missed swings, and strikeouts, which have helped Jansen become one of the most dominant closers in baseball today.
Mixing Up Pitches and Changing Speeds
In addition to his excellent control and command on the mound, Kenley Jansen is known for his ability to mix up his pitches and change speeds effectively. Jansen’s pitch variety is a significant factor in his success as a pitcher, as it makes it challenging for batters to adjust and react quickly.
Jansen is adept at mixing up his pitches, throwing them in different counts and situations to keep batters off balance. He is not afraid to throw any of his pitches in any situation, which makes it difficult for batters to predict what pitch is coming.
Jansen also changes speeds effectively, which further adds to his pitch variety. He can throw his fastball at speeds of up to 98 miles per hour, but he can also slow it down to around 92 miles per hour to keep batters off balance.
Jansen’s ability to change speeds allows him to throw his off-speed pitches effectively, as batters have to respect the speed of his fastball.
Jansen’s pitch variety also makes it challenging for batters to adjust and react quickly. Batters have to be prepared for any of Jansen’s pitches at any time, and they have to be able to recognize and react quickly to the different pitches he throws.
Jansen’s ability to change speeds and mix up his pitches further adds to the challenge, as batters have to be able to adjust their timing and swing mechanics on the fly.
In summary, Jansen’s ability to mix up his pitches and change speeds effectively makes it difficult for batters to adjust and react quickly. His pitch variety, combined with his excellent control and command on the mound, makes him a formidable opponent for any batter.
Jansen’s Overall Effectiveness
Kenley Jansen’s combination of skills on the mound has made him one of the toughest pitchers to hit in baseball. Jansen’s impressive career statistics demonstrate his effectiveness as a closer and his impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Over the course of his career, Jansen has accumulated impressive statistics, including a career ERA of 2.36, a WHIP of 0.91, and over 950 strikeouts in just over 700 innings pitched. He has also saved over 330 games, which ranks him among the top closers in baseball history.
Jansen’s combination of skills on the mound makes him one of the toughest pitchers to hit in baseball. His diverse range of pitches, excellent control and command, deceptive delivery, and pitch variety all contribute to his effectiveness as a closer.
Batters are often left guessing at what pitch is coming, and Jansen’s ability to change speeds and mix up his pitches makes it challenging for them to adjust and react quickly.
Jansen’s impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers has been significant. He has been a key part of the Dodgers’ success over the past decade, helping them win several division titles, pennants, and a World Series championship in 2020.
Jansen’s ability to close out games effectively has been a major factor in the Dodgers’ success, and he has earned the respect and admiration of his teammates and fans.
In summary, Kenley Jansen’s combination of skills on the mound makes him one of the toughest pitchers to hit in baseball. His impressive career statistics, impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers, and contribution to the game of baseball make him one of the greatest closers of all time.
Compares the Statistics of Kenley Jansen’s Top Four Pitches
| Pitch Type | Average Speed (mph) | Movement (inches) | Strike Percentage | Whiff Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four-Seam Fastball | 93.9 | 9.0 | 63.7% | 22.5% |
| Cutter | 89.7 | 2.9 | 63.9% | 25.5% |
| Slider | 87.2 | 2.2 | 58.3% | 29.3% |
| Split-Finger Fastball | 88.7 | 2.9 | 60.3% | 30.0% |
This table shows the average speed, movement, strike percentage, and whiff percentage of each of Kenley Jansen’s top four pitches.
As we can see, Jansen’s split-finger fastball has the highest whiff percentage, while his four-seam fastball has the highest average speed and strike percentage. The table highlights the impressive variety and effectiveness of Jansen’s pitching repertoire.
FAQs
How long has Kenley Jansen been playing baseball?
Kenley Jansen began his baseball career in 2005, when he signed with the Dodgers as an amateur free agent.
How did Jansen develop his pitching skills?
Jansen played as a catcher for the majority of his minor league career, and it wasn’t until later on that he started working on his pitching skills. He developed his pitching repertoire through hard work and determination, with guidance from his coaches and mentors.
What is Jansen’s role on the Dodgers team?
Kenley Jansen serves as the Dodgers’ closer, responsible for pitching the final inning of games and securing wins for the team.
Has Jansen ever won any awards for his pitching skills?
Jansen has been recognized for his exceptional pitching skills over the course of his career. He has been named an All-Star three times, has won the National League Reliever of the Year Award twice, and has earned votes for the Cy Young Award multiple times.
What impact has Jansen had on the Dodgers’ success?
Jansen has been a key part of the Dodgers’ success over the past decade, helping the team win multiple division titles, pennants, and a World Series championship in 2020. His ability to close out games effectively has been a major factor in the team’s success.
Is Jansen involved in any charitable causes or organizations?
Yes, Jansen is actively involved in several charitable organizations and causes, including the Kenley Jansen Foundation, which provides resources and support to families affected by heart disease, and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which focuses on improving education, health care, and sports opportunities for underserved communities in the Los Angeles area.
Conclusion
Kenley Jansen is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, known for his impressive combination of skills on the mound.
His fastball, cutter, slider, and split-finger fastball all contribute to his effectiveness as a closer, and his ability to mix up his pitches, change speeds, and maintain excellent control and command on the mound make him one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the game.
Jansen’s career statistics and impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers demonstrate his contribution to the game of baseball, and he has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and fans alike.
With his impressive skills and undeniable talent, Jansen will continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the mound for years to come.
