LA Angels' Ben Joyce: Lessons In Closing From Kenley Jansen

6 min read Post on May 18, 2025

LA Angels' Ben Joyce: Lessons In Closing From Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen's Closing Expertise: A Masterclass in Control and Command

Kenley Jansen, a name synonymous with late-inning success, boasts a career filled with clutch performances and a wealth of knowledge invaluable to a young pitcher like Ben Joyce. His expertise extends far beyond just throwing hard; it's a mastery of control, command, and the mental game.

Beyond the Fastball: Mastering Secondary Pitches for Deception

Jansen's renowned cutter/slider: Jansen's signature cutter/slider wasn't just a secondary pitch; it was a weapon. Its late movement baffled batters, setting up his other offerings.
Importance of developing a reliable secondary pitch: Joyce's blazing fastball is his calling card, but to truly dominate, he needs a complementary pitch. A well-placed slider can effectively neutralize hitters anticipating the heat.
How a well-placed slider can set up the fastball: The slider’s movement creates deception, making the fastball even more lethal. By effectively sequencing his pitches, Joyce can keep batters guessing.
The mental game of pitch sequencing: Understanding which pitch to throw in any given count, based on the batter's tendencies and the game situation, is crucial for a closer. Jansen’s mastery of this is a crucial lesson for Joyce.

Jansen's mastery of his cutter/slider allowed him to consistently record outs against even the league's best hitters, proving that overpowering velocity isn't the sole determinant of success. Joyce can learn to use a carefully developed secondary pitch to keep batters constantly off-balance, preventing them from sitting on his fastball.

The Importance of Location and Control Over Sheer Power

Precise pitching location: Hitting the corners of the strike zone consistently is paramount for a closer. Walking batters leads to trouble, and big innings can quickly derail a game.
Minimizing walks: Control is king in high-pressure situations. Jansen's career demonstrates the importance of minimizing free passes.
Avoiding big innings: A closer's job is to prevent runs, not necessarily to strike everyone out. Smart pitching, using location to induce weak contact, is key.
The mental aspect of maintaining control under pressure: The ability to maintain focus and composure despite the intense pressure of the ninth inning is a skill honed over time.

Even with Joyce’s incredible velocity, pinpoint accuracy and consistent command are essential for success. Jansen's ability to consistently hit his spots, even without overpowering velocity, is a testament to the importance of control. This is a skill Joyce must diligently cultivate.

The Mental Game: Staying Composed Under Pressure

Experience in high-pressure situations: Jansen's extensive experience in high-stakes games provides an unmatched wealth of knowledge regarding handling pressure.
Maintaining composure in the late innings: The mental aspect of closing is as important, if not more so, than the physical skills. Nerves can significantly impact performance.
The impact of mental preparation on performance: Preparation, visualization, and a positive mindset are key elements for success in high-pressure situations.
Learning from past experiences: Jansen can share invaluable lessons learned from both successful and unsuccessful outings, helping Joyce avoid common pitfalls.

Closers face unique mental pressures. Jansen's vast experience can help Joyce navigate these intense moments, teaching him how to manage expectations, handle setbacks, and maintain focus in the face of adversity.

Mentorship and the Value of Experienced Guidance

The mentorship between Jansen and Joyce is invaluable. Jansen's guidance offers a shortcut to mastering the intricacies of closing.

The Role of a Veteran Mentor

Jansen's role in guiding Joyce: Jansen's experience provides a blueprint for success. He can offer specific advice tailored to Joyce's strengths and weaknesses.
Learning from experience: Instead of learning through trial and error, Joyce can benefit from Jansen's years of experience.
The benefits of mentorship for young pitchers: A skilled mentor can significantly accelerate a young pitcher’s development and shorten the learning curve.
The importance of a strong mentor-mentee relationship: Open communication and mutual respect are crucial for a successful mentorship.

The dynamic between Jansen and Joyce promises to accelerate Joyce's development. The direct access to a successful closer's wisdom is an unparalleled advantage.

Adapting to MLB-Level Hitters

The adjustment to Major League hitting: MLB hitters are the best in the world. Adapting to their skills requires a nuanced approach.
Refinement of pitching strategy: Jansen can help Joyce fine-tune his strategies based on hitters' strengths and weaknesses.
Learning to exploit hitters' weaknesses: Understanding and exploiting hitters’ tendencies is crucial for consistently getting outs.
The long game of development: Becoming a successful closer is a continuous process of refinement and adaptation.

Jansen's experience facing the best hitters in the world can significantly accelerate Joyce’s adjustment to the major leagues. He can provide insights into pitching strategies and help Joyce develop a more sophisticated approach.

Predicting Ben Joyce's Future Success Based on Jansen's Influence

The combination of Joyce's raw talent and Jansen's guidance points to a bright future.

Potential for a Successful Closing Career

Joyce's raw talent combined with Jansen's guidance: This combination is a recipe for success. Joyce's velocity is a formidable weapon, and Jansen's expertise will refine his approach.
The potential for increased control and command: With Jansen's guidance, Joyce's control and command should significantly improve, making his already potent fastball even more effective.
The impact on the Angels' bullpen: A dominant closer significantly bolsters a team's chances of success. Joyce's improvement will strengthen the Angels' bullpen.
Future projections for Joyce's performance: With the proper mentorship, Joyce has the potential to become one of the top closers in baseball.

The mentorship promises a significant improvement in Joyce's game. His raw talent, combined with Jansen’s tutelage, paints a picture of a future Hall of Fame closer.

Conclusion

Ben Joyce’s exceptional velocity is a massive asset, but the art of closing demands more than raw power. Kenley Jansen’s mentorship presents an unparalleled opportunity for Joyce to refine his skills, hone his mental game, and ultimately fulfill his potential as a dominant closer. Learning from Jansen’s expertise in pitch selection, control, and mental fortitude could fundamentally transform Joyce's career.

Call to Action: Follow Ben Joyce's progress as he learns from the master, Kenley Jansen, and witness the evolution of a potential Hall of Fame closer! Keep up-to-date on the LA Angels' bullpen and the exciting developments in Ben Joyce's career. #BenJoyce #KenleyJansen #LAAngels #MLBcloser #Closer #ReliefPitcher #Baseball