The Dodgers today added three players to their 40-man roster, protecting them from next month's Rule 5 draft. Ivan DeJesus, Jr., Trayvon Robinson, and Kenley Jansen were added to the roster, bringing the Dodgers' total to 32 players on the 40-man roster, heading into the free agent signing period that begins Friday.
Here's a look at each of the new roster additions:
Ivan DeJesus, Jr., ss
True Blue LA 2010 Prospect Rank: 4th
2010 Age: 23
Acquired: 2nd round (51st overall) 2005 draft, as compensation for Adrian Beltre
Info: Baseball Reference
DeJesus broke his leg sliding into home plate in spring training and missed most of the season, playing just four games in the Arizona Rookie League at the end of the year. DeJesus is known for his plate discipline (11.5% walk rate in the minors) and defense at shortstop. With Rafael Furcal under contract through at least 2011, DeJesus's best bet to make the Dodgers in the immediate future figures to be at second base. His father, Ivan DeJesus, Sr., was signed by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1973, and played with the club from 1974 to 1976, before getting traded with Bill Buckner and Jeff Albert to the Cubs for Rick Monday and Rick Garman. DeJesus, Sr. hit .183 in his Dodger career, the 17th lowest batting average by a non-pitcher in Dodger history (minimum 100 plate appearances).
Trayvon Robinson, of
True Blue LA 2010 Prospect Rank: 9th
2010 Age: 22
Acquired: 10th round (316th overall) 2005 draft
Info: Baseball Reference | First Inning
In addition to being a world class mascot fighter, Robinson had a breakout season in 2009. He hit .306/.375/.500 while manning center field for the 66ers in the offensively friendly Cal League, but also performed well after his promotion to Double A Chattanooga. As a Lookout, Robinson hit .246/.358/.439 in 19 games. Robinson is a local boy, from Crenshaw High. There have been three players from Crenshaw High School make the major leagues: Chris Brown, Darryl Strawberry, and Ellis Valentine. Here's an interview with Robinson from July:
Kenley Jansen, rhp
True Blue LA 2010 Prospect Rank: not in top 15
2010 Age: 22
Acquired: signed as undrafted free agent in 2005
Info: Baseball Reference | First Inning
Jansen gained a bit of notoriety as a laser-armed catcher on the upset-minded Netherlands team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, throwing out runners from his knees. Unfortunately for Jansen, he has never hit much in the minors (.221/.311/.337 in his minor league career). However, he still has that arm, and the Dodgers converted him to a pitcher late in 2009. He is still raw, obviously, but still managed to strike out 19 batters in 11.2 innings with the 66ers. He is pitching in the Arizona Fall League currently with Peoria. If he ever makes it to the majors, I'd put even money that he ends up with the highest batting average of any Dodger ever from Curacao.
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The Rule 5 draft will be held on December 10, during the Winter Metings in Indianapolis.