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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Who Will Pitch on April 21st?

The Blue Jays are currently using a 4-man rotation because they have been blessed with many off days this month. On Saturday, April 21st, a 5th starter will be needed once again, but the question that has not been answered yet is who will become that 5th starter? There are options at AA, AAA, and in the Jays Bullpen, and a final decision isn't likely to come until later this week.Here is the list of pitchers that could fill the role.

Carlos Villanueva
Joel Carreno
Aaron Laffey
Drew Hutchison
Deck McGuire
Brett Cecil
Chad Jenkins

From that list, these are the guys who will not be considered.

Carlos Villanueva- He is the Jays long man in the bullpen, and has been very dominant so far. I don't think he will get the start because Dustin McGowan's return date is still unknown, and he is only a spot starter, not someone who can fill the role for a month and a half if needed.

Drew Hutchison- I don't believe the Jays want to call him up and send him back down, so he won't get the job for a month, just to be sent down in mid-May. Also, the Jays want to save his arm for August-September, when he could really impact this club, so his chances are slim.

Deck McGuire- AA stated on the Fan 590 today that Deck is not being considered. He has gotten off to a bad start this season in New Hampshire for the Fisher Cats, but he will most likely be in Toronto some time this year.

Brett Cecil- Cecil Spring Training struggles have continued into AA, as he has given up 9 runs in just 11.2 innings pitched, in the span of just 2 starts. He has a WHIP of 1.65, and a BABIP of .435, both horrible numbers. I still think its going to be a few months before Cecil makes it back to Toronto, if he makes it back to Toronto.

The Remaining 3 pitchers are: Aaron Laffey, Joel Carreno, Chad Jenkins. These are the reasons why I think they have a chance.

3. Aaron Laffey- Laffey was just sent down yesterday to make room for Sergio Santos coming back from his paternity leave, and because the Jays wanted to stretch him out again. He has not pitched in a long time, so his chances of getting this spot aren't very high because he needs to work up his arm to be a starter again.

2. Joel Carreno- Carreno was the original 5 starter to start the season, but was sent down after his only start to keep him on a starters routine, and not out him in the Jays bullpen. I see him as a reliever, and I do not want him to get this opportunity to start. He doesn't have enough quality pitches to start, so the only way I see him being in Toronto in the future is as a reliever. Because he is on a starters schedule, he has a better chance of getting the spot ahead of Laffey.

1. Chad Jenkins- Jenkins has been solid so far in his two starts in New Hampshire, but what really rose his stock was his very impressive spring. He pitched to a 1.13 ERA in 8 innings pitched, and looked great on the mound.Jenkins throws a four seam and two seam fastball, and the 2 seam has a ton of movement. His strikeout pitch is his slider, and he also throws a Change up that is developing. I see him being called up later this week, and becoming the Jays number 5 guy. Hopefully he proves his worth, and runs with the job.

Who do you think should get the job? Leave your comments in the section below!

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