Toronto Blue Jays 2015 Top Prospects Wrap Up: Dan Jansen

Things didn’t go according to plan in 2015 for the budding catcher drafted in the 16th-round of the 2013 draft. Dan Jansen is said to have plus power, with excellent bat speed, and a mature approach at the plate; however, his work with pitchers, receiving skills, and containing base runners have really turned him into a legitimate prospect.

After seeing his season cut short by a knee injury he sustained as a member of the Bluefield Blue Jays, Jansen was hoping for a chance to play a full season and stay healthy; unfortunately, that didn’t happen as he found himself on the Disabled List between May 30th and August 10th after breaking some bones in his hand.

Despite being limited to 53 games in 2015, he continues to get better behind the plate, thanks to the instruction Sal Falsano and John Schneider, former major league catchers currently managing in the Blue Jays minor system, provided Dan Jansen’s gotten better at throwing runners out. Since 2013, Jansen has increased his caught stealing percentage from 20% to 29%, successfully throwing out 18 of 62 stolen base attempts in 2015. Dan Jansen also generated a solid 7.88 RF, and .988 FPCT.

At the plate, the 6’2″ 215 lbs bats from the right-side and is pull happy (refer below illustration provided by MLBfarm.com). Besides from being pull happy, Jansen continues to show a mature approach at the plate as a member of the Lugnuts, walking 10.3% and striking out only 12.0% of the time. Remember that he is just 20-years-old.

Mandatory Credit: MLBfarm.com

Recovering from a broken hand and a knee injury in 2014, mostly inhibited Jansen from putting up the power numbers many scouts predict will come, but that didn’t stop him from posting a decent .190 ISO in 7 rehab games in the Gulf Coast League and .125 ISO with Lansing. Despite those power numbers, Jansen still hit 4 home runs and 8 doubles in 184 at-bats after skipping an entire level.

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Jansen provided Lansing with below league average production with a wRC+ of 87, supported by his poor .301 wOBA. The native of  Appleton, Wisconsin steadily improved as the season progressed, hitting .156 in April, .243 in May, and after returning from his injury he hit .259. Danny struggled against LHP, hitting .154 versus .223 against RHP.

With RISP, the young catcher hit .286, with a home run and 21 RBI, making the most of his opportunities. Overall, he hit .210/.300/.343 with a .642 OPS, 21 walks and 27 strike outs.

MLB.com has Danny Jansen listed as the Toronto Blue Jays 14th ranked prospect and 2nd ranked catching prospect. They had this to say about drafting high school catchers,

"Developing high school catchers takes time, but Jansen is off to a good start. Having already shown the ability to make adjustments gives scouts optimism that he’ll continue to improve as he advances in the Minor Leagues."

Prognosis for 2016

Danny Jansen has a chance to fly throw the system in 2016, but it all depends on his ability to stay healthy. Max Pentecost is still considered the organization future catcher, but he’s had to battle his own injury woes putting his future behind the plate in doubt.

Next: 2015 Blue Jays Prospect Wrap Up: Clinton Hollon

Jansen with need to work on using the entire field and making hard contact, which should help him improve on his dismal .213 BABIP he put up in Lansing. He won’t turn 21 until next April, so a repeat of Lo-A Lansing isn’t would be viewed as a step backwards to his development, but it is more likely that he gets a chance to start the year with the A-Ball Dunedin Blue Jays.