Trying to contain the enthusiasm: Not so easy with the early results of Dodgers' Kenley Jansen

 
Need it be said, two innings does not make a career. Two tiny innings. A minor blip during a major league career.

OK, that said, go ahead and get excited.

Dream the dream, because two games into his career with the Dodgers, Kenley Jansen has opened eyes.

Two innings and he has generated excitement on a team badly in need of some. Twenty-nine pitches into his career, and a ravaged bullpen has new life.

Slightly less than a year ago, Jansen was a strong-armed catcher who couldn’t hit his weight. So he was asked to switch to pitcher. He made his professional debut as a reliever July 29. He threw a whole 11-2/3 innings last season.

And Saturday he made his major league debut with a perfect inning. And Sunday he did the same to earn a save.

"That felt awesome, amazing," Jansen said. "Just having fun out there. It’s just like a dream come true."

In a bullpen minus a struggling Ramon Troncoso (at triple-A Albuquerque) and Ronald Belisario (reportedly in a substance-abuse program), and with a struggling George Sherrill, Jansen’s unexpected rise has energized the Dodgers.

"He’s a bit of fresh air for us," said third baseman Casey Blake. "Without Belisario we’ve been ailing down there a little bit. Guys have been worked pretty hard. It’s nice to see him come in and pitch so well. A couple of tough situations for a young guy, especially [Sunday] in a one-run game and he was nails."

In two perfect innings, the hard-throwing Jansen has four strikeouts. He simply overmatched the New York Mets on Saturday and Sunday. Calm as a morning breeze.

"There’s a calmness and confidence about this youngster, and very respectful of the game," Manager Joe Torre said. "Hopefully, that’ the right read I have on him."

The 6-foot-5, 257-pound Jansen is from Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles. He speaks English, Spanish, Dutch, French and Papiamento, the official language of Curacao.

He is not your average 22-year-old. Anyway, that’s what the Dodgers hope.

He is, after all, still learning to pitch. Clearly, though, he’s making remarkable progress. Already he shows signs of being more than just a thrower.

"He’s in the 93-94 range and he gets two strikes, and all of a sudden it pops up a little bit," pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. "He’s got a little something extra. It’s not like he’s just rearing back and throwing as hard as he can every time. He’s under control."

His world could burst in his next appearance. Right now, though, he’s electric and dreaming the dream.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Kenley Jansen pitches for the Dodgers on Sunday. Credit: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Comments

[p]

Jansen has the "look" all right. Yes, I realize this could end tomorrow, but I have to wonder, Steve, do the Dodgers have any plans for him as a potential starter? He certainly seems to have the physical size/strength to start.

[Since '58]

This kid's been a nice surprise. So was Ely. I hope they both pan out. The Dodgers scored seven runs in a four game series with the Mets, who are hitting worse than the Dodgers. How good is the Dodger pitching? How bad was the Mets hitting?
Next up, Latos and the Padres vs. Billingsley and our anemic offense tomorrow night. Can Billingsley show that his last outing against the Jints wasn't an anomaly, but something he'll be capable of consistently? Tomorrow night's game will be a real test. The Pads are playing and hitting a whole lot better than the Mets.
This will be interesting.

[CHRIS]

please please please don't trade him for a second baseman and please sell the team so we can sign some actual talent. Actualy like what the McCourts have done but they just want to be competetive, not dominate. Love you guys butchya gots to go

[Stan]

Steve, like you I would like to see Jansen be successful and also like you, I climbed on the Ely bandwagon when he started out with some success. Jansen has a better chance than Ely to succeed because of better stuff and less innings to pitch per game. The test for Jansen will be against top hitting clubs in big or playoff games. It will be more than likely that Torre will use him or Kuo to setup Broxton. If Jansen does continue to impress, I would like to see him do some closing in games down the stretch mainly because I still think Broxton is gunshy at times. For instance, when Saito would come into the game, I would be comfortable but with Broxton, the comfort level isn't there.

[Mike]

Kenley Jansen has made two appearances. I think we need a larger sample size to determine his effectiveness. Let's temper this enthusiasm until we know more.

[Steve Dilbeck]

P: No plans, at least at this time. Everybody is feeling their way with this transition, but he looks like a reliever, and potential closer at this very early moment.

[bob cuomo]

You're right...two innings isn't quite enough to call him the answer to the Dodgers' pitching problems...they still still need a quality fifth starter. Actually, they need an ace, but we all know that's not going to happen. But I like what I've seen of this guy. I like his makeup, and he certainly appears to have good stuff.

[KoufaxFan]

Kid has looked good, but keep it in perspective: his 2 appearances have been against the anemic Mets offense.

[Danny Bradley]

Jonathon Broxton should be worried. He never shows any emotion, always acts like he doesn't care. Kenley Jansen is exactly what he needs. He would never admit it, but he needs a kick in the ass. This kid is the competition that the arrogant Broxton figured would never come around. Not to mention Kuo. His closer job should never be a slam dunk.

[Grandpa]

Don't call him a "superstar" just yet. Remember Mr. Kemp?

[Bob]

Dodgers are very lucky to have a real professional in this young man. He came out of the blue...Dodger blue that is lol. We are going to hear alot about him in the games to come and may the baseball gods be with him...."GO DODGERS"