Kenley Jansen

From BR Bullpen

Kenley Geronimo Jansen also listed as Kenley Corrales Jansen

Bats Both, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 220 lb.

Born September 30, 1987 in Curaçao Netherlands Antilles

Kenley Jansen is the younger brother of former minor leaguer Ardley Jansen. In his first three minor league seasons, he led the league in a defensive department while his offensive production varied. When his career as a catcher stalled, he became a pitcher.

Kenley Jansen signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers a couple months after his 17th birthday; Camilo Pascual was one of two scouts involved. He debuted professionally with the 2005 GCL Dodgers (.304/.339/.441) and Ogden Raptors (2 for 11, BB, 5 K, 2B). He led Gulf Coast League catchers with a 1.000 fielding percentage. In 2006, Jansen hit .248/.362/.308 for the GCL Dodgers. He led GCL backstops in putouts. He only was 4 for 33 with no walks and 8 strikeouts for the North Shore Honu that winter. He batted .240/.346/.311 with 50 strikeouts in 183 AB for Ogden in 2007 and .102/.214/.169 with 16 whiffs in 59 AB for the Great Lakes Loons. His .994 fielding percentage led the Pioneer League's catchers.

He was on the preliminary 42-man roster for the Dutch national team for the 2008 Olympics. Of the five catchers listed, he was the only one who had not played for the national team but also the only one with experience in US minor leagues (Tjerk Smeets and Sidney de Jong had played college baseball in the USA). He did not make the final cut.

In 2008, Jansen hit .227/.298/.397 with 9 home runs and 72 strikeouts in 247 AB for Great Lakes. He threw out 35 of 94 attempted base-thieves. In the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Kenley was 1 for 13 with a walk and six strikeouts while sharing catching duties with de Jong. His lone hit was off Roy Oswalt.

Jansen struggled offensively in 2009 with the Inland Empire 66ers (.202/.268/.303 in 26 G) and Albuquerque Isotopes (5 for 27, BB) while throwing out 38% of attempted base-stealers overall. Moved to the mound, he walked 11 in 11 2/3 IP but struck out 19 for the 66ers, posting a 4.63 ERA and registering no decisions. He was then sent to the Arizona Fall League for further development as a pitcher.

Kenley was added to LA's 40-man roster in November 2009.