While the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen struggled to begin the season, they have since turned things around and have found more consistency with holding leads and minimizing damage. Through it all, Kenley Jansen has remained one of their most reliable relievers.
On the year, Jansen is 3-2 with a 1.34 ERA and 24 saves in 27 opportunities. He’s tied with Mark Melancon of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami’s A.J. Ramos for second in the National League in saves, and owns a 1.5 WAR.
Since Jansen’s last blown save against the San Francisco Giants on June 11, the 28-year-old has gone 1-0 with seven saves and 19 strikeouts over nine appearances. Despite his string of success in recent seasons, Jansen has never made the NL All-Star team.
Former Los Angeles closer Eric Gagne, who Jansen recently surpassed as the all-time saves leader in franchise history, recently expressed admiration for Jansen and believes he doesn’t get the credit he deserves , via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“That’s crazy,” Gagne said of Jansen’s All-Star slight. “He’s always been amazing. I don’t know why he doesn’t get the hype the others get. He’s such a good guy. It’s fun to see him having this success, a guy I got to hang around with in Spring Training [as an instructor this year]. He deserves this. He’s the best closer in history.”
Manager Dave Roberts also was in disbelief when learning Jansen has never appeared in an All-Star Game:
“It would be a travesty if he isn’t [an All-Star] this year,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I had no idea he never has [been one].”
Clayton Kershaw, who’s made five All-Star Games, believes Jansen has cemented himself as an elite closer in the Majors and believes he’ll make the Midsummer Classic:
“I’m sure he’ll make it this year. At least 92 percent sure. Year after year, he’s one of the most dominant closers in the game.”
Jansen, who was signed as a catcher in 2004 out of Curacao, has averaged 33 saves since taking over as the team’s closer in 2012.
The Dodgers signed Jansen to a one-year deal worth $10.65 million in the offseason to avoid arbitration. Jansen will be a free agent after this season and has stated he will not hold contract negotiations with the team during the season.
