Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen has found his groove since returning from the IL, including a home run Monday night. When Jansen is healthy, he can really do some damage. He’s now hit two home runs and has also recorded three doubles. He is slowly getting back to his old self at the plate. When Jansen was on the IL, it left Alejandro Kirk as the number one catcher, which was a downside. It meant Kirk was playing more without any rest. It turns out he is much more effective when he can get some rest. The story’s moral is that Jansen remaining healthy is a win-win situation for many reasons.
Danny Jansen Hits Home Run, Remains Effective Since Return
IT’S ONLY RIGHT FOR DANNY JANSEN NIGHT! 🤓
The @BlueJays hit back-to-back homers in Toronto. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dpStGxF4Ai
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 30, 2024
Having Jansen back in the lineup gives the Blue Jays another lethal hitter and power threat in the lineup. It is so good to have Jansen back and healthy. Isn’t it refreshing to have a catcher who can run from first base to home on a double to score a run? Danny Jansen certainly outshines Kirk in this respect. It demonstrates how much the Blue Jays need Jansen healthy, and that they should hold onto him for as long as possible. He ranks second on the team with 166 wRC+ this season.
Blue Jays wRC+ this season:
170 — Justin Turner
166 — Danny Jansen
158 — Daulton Varsho
118 — Ernie Clement
115 — Davis Schneider
114 — Cavan Biggio
104 — Isiah Kiner-Falefa
103 — George Springer
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96 — Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
74 — Bo Bichette
67 — Daniel Vogelbach
40… pic.twitter.com/cLWCWKwALe— BlueJays Muse (@BlueJays_Muse) April 27, 2024
It would be a major failure by the front office not to keep him long-term. Jansen is a dynamic player who is a major piece of the Blue Jays’ success. Last season, he was impressive behind the plate when he was catching Jordan Hicks and blocked his wild pitches. On Monday evening, his home run against the Kansas City Royals showcased a lesson on how to take an at-bat. Take two curveballs for strikes because he wants a fastball, and then make the pitcher pay.
Jansen is Back
One of Jansen’s great assets is that he is always calm and composed at the plate. He has great plate discipline and isn’t the type of hitter who chases pitches outside the strike zone. Fans were certainly excited to see Jansen go yard on Jansen giveaway night. Jansen is continuing to have a positive impact on the Blue Jays lineup. He’s the type of player you don’t give up on, no matter how many times he gets injured. While the Los Angeles Dodgers destroyed the Blue Jays 12-2 over the weekend, the one positive from that game was the Jansen home run. It continued his success against the Dodgers from last season, in which Jansen had two hits, a home run, and four RBI.
Photo Credit: © Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
