Bobby Jenks, CL, Chicago White Sox

February 28, 2006 @ 14:29:34

By Chris Hadorn
Edited by KFFL Staff

The Chicago White Sox made a quiet transaction that was barely a blip on the radar in 2004 during the frantic period of baseball's "Hot Stove League". The Pale Hose claimed minor league pitcher Bobby Jenks off waivers after the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim left him unprotected by dropping him from their 40-man roster. The Angels gave up on Jenks after he battled through elbow troubles, off-the-field issues and control problems. After spending his entire professional career as a starting pitcher, the White Sox moved Jenks to the bullpen last season to lessen his workload and put him in a position to make his 100 mph fastball more effective. In his new role, Jenks posted a 2.81 ERA with 19 saves at Double-A Birmingham. The White Sox called up Jenks at midseason and he eventually took over the closer role from RP Dustin Hermanson. Jenks played a significant role in helping the White Sox to their 2005 World Series Championship by saving six games in the regular season and notching four saves in the postseason.

Table: Bobby Jenks

Yr	Team	Level	W	SV	ERA	WHIP	IP	K	BB	H	ER	HR	AVG
00	Butte	R	1	0	7.86	1.99	52.2	42	44	61	46	2	.290
01	Cedar Rapids	A	3	0	5.27	1.56	99.0	98	64	90	58	10	.245
01	Arkansas	AA	1	0	3.60	1.30	10.0	10	5	8	4	0	.200
02	Arkansas	AA	3	0	4.66	1.60	58.0	58	44	49	30	2	.234
02	R. Cucamonga	A	3	0	4.82	1.47	65.1	64	46	50	35	4	.212
03	Arkansas	AA	7	0	2.17	1.29	83.0	103	51	56	20	2	.191
03	AZ Angels	R	0	0	0.00	0.50	4.0	5	0	2	0	0	.154
04	Salt Lake	AAA	0	0	8.76	2.03	12.1	13	6	19	12	1	.358
04	AZ Angels	R	0	0	8.10	1.50	3.1	5	3	2	3	0	.182
04	R. Cucamonga	A	0	0	19.64	3.27	3.2	3	7	5	8	0	.385
05	Birmingham	AA	1	19	2.85	1.32	41.0	48	20	34	13	1	.224
05	Chicago (AL)	MLB	1	6	2.75	1.25	39.1	50	15	34	12	3	.225

POSITIVES

Jenks will enter the 2006 season penciled in as the White Sox's closer. Since he is on a competitive team built for another championship run, the save opportunities will be there for Jenks if he can hold onto the closer role. Jenks throws two exceptional pitches: a blazing fastball that touches triple digits and a power curveball that prevents hitters from sitting on his heater. In fact, Jenks' fastball has been clocked as high as 102 mph. Jenks is untouchable when he throws both pitches for strikes. Last season, big-league batters hit just .225 against Jenks and he averaged 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. High strikeout ratios and low opponent batting averages have been a constant of Jenks' entire professional career.

For years in the Angels organization, Jenks had trouble developing his third pitch changeup and seemed to be miscast as a starting pitcher. The White Sox deserve credit for making the switch and recognizing Jenks' overpowering arsenal is tailor-made for closer duty. The White Sox also deserve kudos for smoothing out his delivery, which improved his command and enabled Jenks to blow away big league hitters in his debut.

NEGATIVES

Even though Jenks has great upside as a closer, there are risks involved with drafting him. Pitchers who touch 100 mph are extremely rare, yet the Angels gave him away for nothing. First, Jenks has a history of poor control throughout his professional career. Jenks posted a 1.25 WHIP with Chicago in 2005, which was the best mark of his professional career. During his entire professional career, Jenks has walked 305 batters in 472 innings pitched. Jenks succeeded last season in Chicago because he walked a respectable 3.43 batters per every nine innings. Jenks will need to repeat his 2005 performance in order to keep his job as the White Sox's closer.

Jenks is also a major health risk. In two of the last four seasons, Jenks has been shut down due to a stress reaction in his right elbow. During the summer of 2004, Jenks underwent surgery and pins were inserted into his right elbow to alleviate the problem. Another health concern is Jenks' weight. He is listed at 6-3, 270 pounds and his conditioning has been an issue in the past. Finally, Jenks has a history of disciplinary issues that included a team suspension for alcohol abuse and a physical altercation with a teammate. There are doubts about Jenks' mental makeup and maturity to handle a big league closer's job. Fantasy players should also be aware the White Sox had a solid bullpen last season and manager Ozzie Guillen will not hesitate to fall back on replacement options such as RPs Hermanson and Cliff Politte.  

SUMMARY

Jenks has the chance to become a top-10 closer in 2006 or a complete flop. He has the repertoire of a top flight closer, but command issues have been his primary setback in the past. Jenks is a middle-of-the-pack closer in Major League Baseball universe leagues and is a good pick in the 10th to 11th rounds. Managers who draft Jenks are encouraged to take a flier on Hermanson as insurance in later rounds.

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Chris Hadorn
Chris Hadorn has covered minor league and amateur prospects for more than a decade. He writes for San Diego's North County Times and has been a KFFL fantasy baseball contributor since 2006.

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