Bobby Jenks- One of the Most Underrated Players in MLB

[HuskyCaucasian]

I wanted to get your thoughts on this. Is Bobby Jenks one of the most underrated players in Major League Baseball? You never hear him mentioned as one of the elite closers, but he is one save away from 100 career saves in only his 3rd full season.

 

For compression: Mariano Rivera got his 100th save in his 3rd full season as a closer. Yes Rivera is on a whole other level, but think about it.

 

[scenario]

Two consecutive all-star games. Probably a lock for this year too. Tough to say he's 'underrated' anymore.

[the People's Champ]

Underrated outside of Chicago, I would say definately. I wonder if the fact that he is paid next to nothing has anything to do with that. I don't see any other explanation for it, the guy had 40+ saves in his first two full seasons in the bigs. What more does he have to do

 

[DaTank]

I wanted to get your thoughts on this. Is Bobby Jenks one of the most underrated players in Major League Baseball? You never hear him mentioned as one of the elite closers, but he is one save away from 100 career saves in only his 3rd full season.

 

For compression: Mariano Rivera got his 100th save in his 3rd full season as a closer. Yes Rivera is on a whole other level, but think about it.

 

I definitely agree with you here. All you ever hear about on ESPN is Mariano Rivers, Jonathan Papelbon, and Joe Nathan. Jenks definitely deserves some of the accolades. For one his ERA is better than the almighty Papelbon with Jenks having a 1.77 and J-Pap with a 2.35. Personally, I think Jenks should be considered at least within the top 5 closes in all of the Majors currently.

[RME JICO]

I wanted to get your thoughts on this. Is Bobby Jenks one of the most underrated players in Major League Baseball? You never hear him mentioned as one of the elite closers, but he is one save away from 100 career saves in only his 3rd full season.

 

For compression: Mariano Rivera got his 100th save in his 3rd full season as a closer. Yes Rivera is on a whole other level, but think about it.

I would say that is a fair statement. I think it has to do with the fact that he is not throwing 100mph heat anymore. He is actually pitching and not just blowing it by people.

 

Taking Bobby's last birthday as a checkpoint:

 

Jenks at 27, 87 saves

Rivera at 27, 48 saves

Papelbon at 27, 72 saves

 

Bobby still needs about 5-6 more 30+ save seasons to compare to Rivera. If he does that, there is no reason not to compare him to Rivera.

[SoxFan1]

But, he lost so much velocity. He isn't good without the 100mph heat. He's fat and he has a screw in his arm.

[knightni]

But, he lost so much velocity. He isn't good without the 100mph heat. He's fat and he has a screw in his arm.

Exactly.

 

Bobby's like a sparkler; he burns hot and bright, but may burn out quicker than we want him to.

 

I hope that he has 3 or 4 more closer years in him, but I think he may not.

[GoSox05]

I think Jenks and Nathan are underrated, but not that bad.

[Nokona]

Exactly.

 

Bobby's like a sparkler; he burns hot and bright, but may burn out quicker than we want him to.

 

I hope that he has 3 or 4 more closer years in him, but I think he may not.

 

You might want to invest in a sarcasm detector

[WCSox]

Exactly.

 

Bobby's like a sparkler; he burns hot and bright, but may burn out quicker than we want him to.

 

I hope that he has 3 or 4 more closer years in him, but I think he may not.

 

And that's exactly why I want the Sox to pay him reasonable one-year arbitration-level salaries over the next three seasons, rather than give him a big contract.

 

[Gregory Pratt]

I would say that is a fair statement. I think it has to do with the fact that he is not throwing 100mph heat anymore. He is actually pitching and not just blowing it by people.

 

Taking Bobby's last birthday as a checkpoint:

 

Jenks at 27, 87 saves

Rivera at 27, 48 saves

Papelbon at 27, 72 saves

 

Bobby still needs about 5-6 more 30+ save seasons to compare to Rivera. If he does that, there is no reason not to compare him to Rivera.

 

Rivera was a setup man, so it's not fair to compare him by checkpoint. I mean, give me a break. Three seasons in, and he's the new Rivera?

 

Closers are fickle creatures. Let's see how Bobby does for the coming years before we start polishing his plaque.

 

Is he underrated? I don't think so. He's a very good, able closer, but I don't feel any indignation on his behalf.

[knightni]

You might want to invest in a sarcasm detector

 

Sarcasm, how?

[RME JICO]

Rivera was a setup man, so it's not fair to compare him by checkpoint. I mean, give me a break. Three seasons in, and he's the new Rivera?

 

Closers are fickle creatures. Let's see how Bobby does for the coming years before we start polishing his plaque.

 

Is he underrated? I don't think so. He's a very good, able closer, but I don't feel any indignation on his behalf.

Who said he was the new Rivera? I was simply comparing saves to age. The only thing I said was "Bobby still needs about 5-6 more 30+ save seasons to compare to Rivera".