Blue Jays 2019 Top Prospects: #3 – Danny Jansen

The Jays Journal Top 30 Prospects list is nearing a close for the 2019 season. We bring you the number three rated prospect in the Blue Jays system and a player who will 99% be the starting catcher in Danny Jansen.

Danny Jansen made his major league debut in 2018 after 360 at-bats where he absolutely raked with the Buffalo Bisons. Jansen looks like he will be able to be the real deal both defensively and offensively. In his 360 at-bats with the Bisons, Jansen nearly walked as much as he struck out with a BB% of 12.2% and a K% of 13.6%. He hit .275/.390/.473 with a wRC+ of 146.

Name: Danny Jansen
Position: C        Age: 23
Height: 6’2”       Weight: 225 lb
Throws: Right   Bats: Right
Acquired: 2013 Draft, Round 16, Pick 9

Jansen still does qualify as a rookie in 2019 for the Toronto Blue Jays which is why he is still on this list as a prospect. As a position player, you cannot exceed 130 at-bats and pitchers cannot exceed 50.0 innings pitched or your rookie status is gone. With 31 games and 95 at-bats, Jansen fell below the rookie cut off.

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In Jansen’s 95 at-bats, he walked 9.5% of the time with a 17.9 K%. He hit .247/.347/.432 with three home runs, eight RBI, and 115 wRC+. He flashed what he can do with the bat and as he gets more comfortable, you can expect he could come close to walking as much as he strikes out.

Jansen’s eye at the plate has proven to be very good and it all started when he put on prescription goggles at the plate.

Yes, as simple as it sounds Jansen credits his turn around at the plate due to getting glasses and wearing those prescription goggles at the plate. Jansen was always very good defensively throughout his minor league career and that will continue to shine through at the big league level.

Fangraphs Prospect Report:

• Hit – 50/55
• Game Power – 40/45
• Raw Power – 55/55
• Speed – 30/30
• Field – 45/50
• Throws – 40/40
• Future Value – 50

Danny Jansen seems like a sure thing behind the dish for the Toronto Blue Jays for the next several years. The Blue Jays also have Reese McGuire, who when healthy, is a good defensive and offensive catcher as well but Jansen seems likelier of the two to be an impact piece in the long run.

The Toronto Blue Jays have had many catchers who’ve been pegged as “the catcher of the future” and they’ve all broke fans hearts. Many fans strongly believe, including myself, that Danny Jansen won’t break the hearts of Blue Jays fans.