Why is no one talking about Kenley Jansen?

[Imgran]

I'm serious. The level of dominance Jansen has proven himself capable of is insane. He nearly struck out 2 batters an inning last year. He's a prototype power reliever with ridiculous stuff and he is flat out electrifying to watch throw. The ease with which he dispatches elite hitters is something you have to see to believe.

This is the guy who actually is what Carlos Marmol was overhyped to be. The Dodgers need to be thinking about stretching this kid out if he has the body type (and IIRC he does). To think that this guy was the Netherlands' catcher 3 years ago in the WBC.

How has he remained so obscure?

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17184073&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_17184073&v=3

[dominik]

I have to admit that I heard his name for the first time today.

probably that is because he is not (yet) a closer. people talk about starters and closers but not about middle and setup guys (unless they play in boston or NY).

but having seen the video I'm really impressed. really good and hard stuff.

[UnderPressure]

Hopefully, he's mentally tough. Unlike Broxton.

[Imgran]

More Jansen

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14047003&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_14047003&v=3

Absolutely overpowering, You have to start a bit early to catch him, and if he gets it in on your hands, you're done. If he ever learns to really locate look out.

[Cowtipper]

"Overpowering" can turn into "not overpowering" very quickly.

[Imgran]

But for the moment, it's "overpowering" and should not be regarded as less until "not overpowering" has already happened.

[wrgptfan]

I'm serious. The level of dominance Jansen has proven himself capable of is insane. He nearly struck out 2 batters an inning last year. He's a prototype power reliever with ridiculous stuff and he is flat out electrifying to watch throw. The ease with which he dispatches elite hitters is something you have to see to believe.

This is the guy who actually is what Carlos Marmol was overhyped to be. The Dodgers need to be thinking about stretching this kid out if he has the body type (and IIRC he does). To think that this guy was the Netherlands' catcher 3 years ago in the WBC.

How has he remained so obscure?

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?co...y_17184073&v=3

I have not really seen him pitch, but it looks as if he throws a really heavy ball with not a lot of movement. This can work for a while, but then look out. It would not surprise me if he starts out hot this year and then ends up with an ERA around 4 or 4.25. Remember you heard it here first!

[Imgran]

He's had a couple seasons in the league, if that was going to happen, his k/9 wouldn't have gone up last year. JMHO.

Every now and again there's a guy who really is that good.

[drstrangelove]

He's obscure, because he's obscure. He has a career of 80 innings. Many batters he's faced have only seen him once in their career. Let him go through the league some and see how he does.

Shane Spencer had 10 homers in his first 67 at bats. Then teams saw him again.

And, Billy Wagner did this stuff for a full career.....he doesn't get Wagner props after one rodeo.

[Bothrops Atrox]

He's obscure, because he's obscure. He has a career of 80 innings. Many batters he's faced have only seen him once in their career. Let him go through the league some and see how he does.

Shane Spencer had 10 homers in his first 67 at bats. Then teams saw him again.

And, Billy Wagner did this stuff for a full career.....he doesn't get Wagner props after one rodeo.

Right. 80 IP has very limited meaning overall. 80 IP is enough to start getting a read on his K/BB rates, but not nearly enough to tell about his BABIP or HR/Hr per FB%.

Now, if those K/BB rates are legit, he should be pretty good until those rates drop for some reason, so there is certainly reason to be excited.

[abolishthedh]

The general point here, IMO, is that some relievers are overhyped and others are not. The main variable in this will be local media, and LAs local media are currently obsessed with the management of the Dodgers. Meanwhile, in Chicago, the media will continue to focus on the players such as Marmol.

My guess this spring is that the Dodgers are an underappreciated team which could surprise this year. A lot of last year's deadweight is gone and a lot of young guys are ready to step in to make a difference. The team could develop the right chemistry while no one is looking. This is the sequence of events for a lot of surprise teams.