Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was named National League Reliever of the Month for June. He’s been lights-out all season after re-signing with the team on a five-year, $80 million contract during the winter.
Jansen was flawless during June, tossing 14 shutout innings, allowing just four hits and issuing one walk, while collecting 18 strikeouts en route to 10 saves. The lone walk came against the Colorado Rockies near the end of June, and snapped Jansen’s historic streak of 51 strikeouts without handing out a free pass to begin the season.
Overall this season, the 29-year-old is 4-0 with 18 saves in 18 opportunities, while yielding a 0.79 ERA, 0.59 FIP and 0.53 WHIP in 32 appearances. He has struck out 53 hitters compared to just the one walk in 34 innings pitched.
Jansen was just named to his second consecutive All-Star Game, and he will be joined in Miami by teammates Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager.
The Dodgers bullpen, anchored by Jansen, has been among the best in baseball again this season. Their 2.89 team bullpen ERA leads the NL and ranks third in baseball going into play Monday. They also rank second in baseball with 324 strikeouts in 280.2 innings of work.
In addition to Jansen, Bellinger was also recognized in June, being named the NL Rookie of the Month a second consecutive time.
