Kenley Jansen voices concerns about the pitch clock
It’s the most divisive rule change in recent MLB history: The implementation of the pitch clock. The thought behind it was that it would decrease the length of the average MLB game, which sat at just over three hours last season. But while it has accomplished that to this point, it may have come with some unintended consequences as Kenley Jansen tries to point out.
Numerous different pitchers coming out against the pitch clock and the increased injuries it’s leading to. Most recently, Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen added himself to that list of names while on the “Baseball isn’t boring” podcast.
“Totally. I’m not going to lie to you. It feels totally different,” Jansen said. “It’s just that pitch clock, man. It’s something else. But we have to adjust to it. I’m not the type that’s going to complain about it. This game is a game of adjustment and that’s what they want us to do … It’s definitely challenging, but I’m out there having fun.”
Quote via Kenley Jansen
To say it’s been an adjustment for pitchers would be a huge understatement. Pitchers all over the league are seeing career highs in ERA and it’s obvious that not every pitcher is adapting to the pitch clock the same way. Jansen himself has struggled to find his footing, blowing back-to-back saves last week after securing his 400th career save.
“You’re learning and adjusting right now, especially when you come out there and you’re not throwing strikes. It can get a little challenging,” he said. “What would you do if there’s no pitch clock there? You learn how to slow down the game, reset your mind, go back out there and attack the zone. That’s the one thing for me, I’m learning how to adjust to that.”
Quote via Kenley Jansen
But as Jansen and other pitchers have noted, it’s not just the rough adjustment period that has pitchers up in arms. It’s more so the increased strain put on their arms and the increased injuries that have come as a result.
“Just thinking about it, if you have a car and you are constantly racing it, what are you going to do? A hose is going to blow. Something is going to blow,” Jansen said. “If you want us to be 100 percent every pitch, something is going to happen. I understand you’re trying to cut 20 or 30 minutes out of the game. I love it, too. I’m not going to lie. Shorter games. But you have to see what is beneficial for all of us as pitchers. Especially for starters. Starters don’t get enough time to recover anymore.”
Quote via Kenley Jansen
Now to Jansen’s credit, he does acknowledge the good things that have come from the pitch clock. He mentions that he enjoys that games have become shorter, but doesn’t feel it should come at the expense of pitchers.
“I think we all learn,” he said. “I hope MLB is learning from all of this to make the game better. We all want the game to be better. I just don’t want them to be stubborn just because you’re MLB and the rules are the rules. I hope they get feedback from the players”
Quote via Kenley Jansen
In this case, I feel that Jansen is taking a pretty reasonable stance. He acknowledges the benefits the pitch clock has brought but also highlights ways it could be better.
It is a fair point he brings up and I am sure the pitch clock will be altered and changed in the coming years. But what are your thoughts regarding the pitch clock? Is it good for baseball and will it save the game we all love? Or is it just a dumb rule that will destroy baseball as we know it?
As is the case in most scenarios, the truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. But sports fans don’t like compromise or even agreeing with each other, so I’m sure this debate will never end.
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