Kenley Jansen is one of the best closers in baseball. He has been a steady force for the Los Angeles Dodgers throughout the years. There were moments where Jansen looked beatable, but he still is feared. Any time Los Angeles faced Milwaukee and dealing with Jansen in the ninth inning felt like a loss before the Brewers stepped up to the plate. Did you know he started his Dodgers career as a catcher? Jansen played for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic in 2008 (Jansen is born in Curacao, an island owned by the Dutch). And also did you know he threw Ryan Braun out in a game against the United States?

Remember when Kenley Jansen was a catcher in the World Baseball Classic and gunned out Ryan Braun? pic.twitter.com/BZmI4TRUCu

— Barstool Are Dee Tee (@editti22) October 15, 2021

First of all, Jansen has an absolute cannon. I guess that shouldn’t be a surprise, right? He has a great arm and throws gas. It makes sense that he can throw the heat from the catcher spot. The only thing that makes it more surprising is he did it from his knees. That’s not easy to do. For those wondering why Jansen didn’t stay as a catcher, he could not hit. That will do it for you. Dodgers’ scouts made the right call to move him to a pitcher.

If you’re Braun, how do you deal with that pitcher who threw you out from the catcher position? I have to believe Braun got his balls busted about this later when Jansen was actually good. But a case could be made that Braun was safe. If we’re reviewing this, do people give him the doubt there?

Dodgers are very annoying, but they do have some of the best homegrown talents out there. Jansen is another example.

Charlie.