Career Timeline of Kenley Jansen: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kenley Jansen made an impact.

Kenley Jansen is a professional baseball pitcher from Curaçao, currently playing for the Los Angeles Angels in MLB. He previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox, solidifying his career as a prominent relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1991: Broke Jay Howell's Team Records

In 2015, Kenley Jansen broke Jay Howell's team records from 1991 by striking out 23 batters in his first 14 games of the season, without giving up a walk.

November 17, 2004: Signed by Dodgers Organization

On November 17, 2004, Kenley Jansen was signed as an undrafted free agent catcher by the Dodgers organization and was assigned to the Rookie Class Gulf Coast Dodgers.

2004: Signed by the Dodgers

In 2004, Kenley Jansen was signed by the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent.

2007: Played for Raptors and Loons

In 2007, Kenley Jansen split his time between the Raptors and the Class-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League, hitting .207 in 73 games.

2008: Played for Loons

In 2008, Kenley Jansen played with the Loons, hitting .227 with 9 home runs in 79 games, and was selected to the mid-season Midwest League All-Star game.

November 19, 2009: Added to Dodgers 40-Man Roster

On November 19, 2009, Kenley Jansen was added to the Dodgers 40-man roster.

2009: Played in World Baseball Classic

In 2009, Kenley Jansen was the starting catcher for the Netherlands team in the World Baseball Classic. Jansen threw out Willy Taveras on an attempted steal of third base in the ninth inning, a key play in the game against the Dominican Republic team.

2009: Switched to Pitching

In 2009, the Dodgers convinced Kenley Jansen, due to his poor offensive numbers as a catcher, that he should switch to pitching. Under the tutelage of former major leaguer Charlie Hough, he made the conversion in the second half of the season at Inland Empire.

May 15, 2010: Promoted to Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

On May 15, 2010, Kenley Jansen was promoted to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, where he was selected to the mid-season Southern League All-Star Game.

July 23, 2010: Promoted to the Dodgers

On July 23, 2010, Kenley Jansen was promoted to the Dodgers.

2010: First Season with Dodgers

In 2010, Kenley Jansen appeared in 25 games with the Dodgers, recording a 1-0 record with a 0.67 ERA and saving four games.

2010: MLB Debut

In 2010, Kenley Jansen made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut after converting from a catcher to a relief pitcher in the minor leagues.

2011: Key Member of Dodgers' Bullpen

In 2011, Kenley Jansen became a key member of the Dodgers' bullpen, achieving a 2-1 record with a 2.85 ERA and saving five games. Jansen also set a new Major League season record with 16+1⁄3 strikeouts per nine innings.

May 2012: Became Dodgers' Closer

In May 2012, Kenley Jansen became the Dodgers' closer after Javy Guerra struggled in the role.

2012: Dodgers' Closer

In 2012, Kenley Jansen began serving as the Dodgers' closer.

2013: Resumed Role as Closer

In 2013, Kenley Jansen resumed the role as closer after Brandon League struggled. He pitched in 75 games with a 4–3 record, 1.88 ERA and 28 saves.

2013: Adam Wainwright's Strikeout Record

In 2017, Kenley Jansen recorded his 36th strikeout of the season, setting an MLB season record for most strikeouts without giving up a walk. The previous record was held by Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, who struck out 35 batters before giving up a walk in the 2013 season.

February 11, 2014: Signed Contract with Dodgers

On February 11, 2014, Kenley Jansen avoided arbitration by signing a $4.3 million contract with the Dodgers.

January 16, 2015: Avoided Arbitration, Signed Contract with Dodgers

On January 16, 2015, Kenley Jansen avoided arbitration by signing a one-year $7.425 million contract with the Dodgers.

January 15, 2016: Signed Contract with Dodgers

On January 15, 2016, Kenley Jansen signed a one-year, $10.65 million contract with the Dodgers.

January 10, 2017: Re-signed with Dodgers

On January 10, 2017, the Dodgers announced the re-signing of Kenley Jansen to a five-year, $80 million contract.

2017: Led National League in Saves

In 2017, Kenley Jansen led the National League (NL) in saves.

2017: Named NL Reliever of the Year

In 2017, Kenley Jansen was awarded the National League Reliever of the Year Award for the second straight year. In 2017, he also set an MLB season record for most strikeouts without giving up a walk.

2017: 2017 World Series

In the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros, Kenley Jansen allowed two runs, including a solo homer by Marwin González, in Game Two. In Game Five of the series, he picked up the loss.

June 2018: Extended Save Against Mets

In a series against the Mets, Kenley Jansen recorded two extended saves. His first five-out save since June 2018 in Pittsburgh, and a four-out save in the fourth game of the series

2018: Struggles in 2018 World Series

In the 2018 World Series, Kenley Jansen struggled, blowing two save opportunities as he allowed game-tying home runs to Jackie Bradley Jr. in Game 3 and Steve Pearce in Game 4 as the Dodgers lost the series to the Boston Red Sox in five games.

2018: All-Star Game Selection

Kenley Jansen was chosen for his third straight all-star game in 2018.

April 7, 2019: Four-Out Save Against Rockies

On April 7, 2019, Kenley Jansen recorded a four-out save against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver.

June 15, 2019: Debuted Intentional Balk

On June 15, 2019, Kenley Jansen debuted the intentional balk against the Chicago Cubs. Jansen came up with the idea to prevent runners from stealing signs.

2019: Reached 300 Career Saves

In 2019, Kenley Jansen became the 30th pitcher to reach 300 career saves.

2019: 2019 NLDS

In the 2019 NLDS, Kenley Jansen pitched to five batters and did not allow any of them to reach base.

March 18, 2022: Jansen signed with the Atlanta Braves

On March 18, 2022, Kenley Jansen signed a one-year contract worth $16 million with the Atlanta Braves.

December 13, 2022: Jansen signed with the Boston Red Sox

On December 13, 2022, Kenley Jansen signed a two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

2022: Signed with the Braves

In 2022, after 11 years with the Dodgers, Kenley Jansen entered free agency and signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves, then signed with the Red Sox.