Top 20 Prospects: #12 Chad Jenkins RHP

#12 Chad Jenkins RHP

Born: December, 27^th, 1987 in Chattanooga, TN. (Age 24)

Acquired via: Draft. 1^st Round; 20^th Overall. Out of Kennesaw State University.  

Bats: Right Throws: Right

Height: 6' 4" Weight: 230 lb.

Baseball America Ranking-Not Listed

Baseball Prospectus Ranking-TBA

FanGraphs Ranking-Not Listed

MLB.com Ranking- Not Listed

2012 Stats and Analysis:

Team/ Level	W-L	IP	ERA	FIP	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	BABIP	K%	BB%	HR/9
New Hampshire (AA)	5-9	114.1	4.96	5.08	1.54	4.49	2.44	.322	11.2%	6.1%	1.34
Toronto (MLB)	1-3	32	4.50	5.25	1.34	4.50	3.09	.262	11.8%	8.1%	1.41

I suppose you could call Jenkins a ‘veteran’ of the minor leagues. After Jenkins’ second year of Double-A baseball in New Hampshire, he got the call to Toronto. The call came as a surprise to many, even Jenkins—who thought that he could be going to Dunedin (A-)—when he got called into the coaches office. Jenkins’ didn’t have any success in New Hampshire, which made the call-up surprising, and maybe even more surprisingly he was better in the Majors. Jenkins looked good in the bullpen while with the Blue Jays, yet another surprise coming from someone who doesn’t light up the radar gun. When he was put to the test in the Starting Rotation he did, for once, exactly as expected: five to seven solid innings with three to four runs allowed. I wouldn’t have expected any more, or less from the 24 year old right-hander.  

Scouting Report

Jenkins has a four-pitch mix, consisting of a Sinking Fastball, Slider, curve ball, and Change-Up. His fastball velocity ranges from 91-94mph in the bullpen and 86-92mph while starting with good sinking action, but sits comfortably at 90mph, when starting. His Change-Up sits at roughly 82mph, 8mph slower than his fastball, though it’s probably his worst pitch, something you wouldn't expect with such a difference between speeds. The Slider is his second best pitch, behind his sinker, sitting around 83mph with decent movement. The curve ball is a developing pitch that if worked on, could give Jenkins the upper edge he needs to stick as a starter. Jenkins is a workhorse and will have to mainly rely on that to get him a consistent starting job in the majors.  

Where will he be in 2013, and ETA? Projection?

Jenkins’ year will start in Major League Spring Training, where a lot will be decided. As it stands, Jenkins is the #6 starter in Toronto’s depth chart, and while I doubt—baring any injuries—that he starts the year in Toronto’s rotation, he could find himself there at some point in 2013. Disregarding injury possibilities, Jenkins will be in the majors in 2013, whether it be a September call up or a call up due to injuries, there is no doubt in my mind that he’ll be in TO at some point. At this point Jenkins is already filled out and could start on some major league teams, in my opinion, so his floor and ceiling seem very close. His floor, baring anything drastic, is a rotation filling fifth starter that will eat innings to a tone of a mid-fours ERA. Jenkins ceiling has declined through the years…a lot, but he still has value. He could end up being an invaluable #4 that will go out and give you utter consistency and eat innings, like Joe Blanton.

Comments and criticisms welcome below.

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