Here at The Surge we've had the recent privilege to do a Q&A with 2007 Whitecap Brett Jensen. Last season was phenomenal for the University of Nebraska product. He was the closer and the anchor of a dominant Whitecaps bullpen. He was 5-1 in 56 appearances. His 23 saves led the 'Caps, and was third overall in the league. He was a Midwest League All-Star and a Midwest League champion. I’d say that’s one heck of a season.
So here it is, our Q&A with Brett Jensen.
1. What have you been up to this off season?
- This off-season I've been living in Lincoln, Nebraska where I played college ball, with a roommate from the Cardinals organization. A few ex-huskers and I have been working out at the university in preparation for the season. Also, on the side, I've been doing some pitching clinics for Nebraska, gotta pay the bills somehow.
2. Was there anything pitching specific that you've been working on?
- I've really been focusing on my off-speed pitches this winter. Tightening up my slider and change-up have been the top priority. As you advance through the levels it's important to have a feel for multiple pitches in order to get keep hitters off balance. So, I've really been working on adding depth to my slider and developing a better feel for my change-up in all counts. However, I haven't been able to scratch the dirt and toe the rubber for a few months due to the sub-zero temperatures we've been experiencing here in Husker Nation.
3. What do you like best about being a closer?
- Since becoming a closer in college, I've really learned to be comfortable with the role and the pressures that come with it. My favorite part of being a closer is getting the ball in crucial situations with the ability to help my team win ballgames. For me, last year, there was nothing better than watching a starter go out and pitch his tail off for six or seven innings, then hand it off to a guy like Ed Clelland or Casey Fien, then being able to take the ball from one of those guys and finish the game. To me, that's what it's all about, everybody playing their part and executing for a quality win.
4. The Tigers traded many pitching prospects in this off season, how do you feel it has impacted your chances of progressing through the Tigers farm system?
- To be honest, I haven't really given it much thought. My view has always been that if you pitch well enough and work on the areas of your game that need improvement in order to succeed at the next level, then there's going to be a spot for you. I think everyone that has been around minor league baseball could tell you that nothing is for certain and that nothing is given to you. That being said, looking at prospects that have left or prospects that have come and trying to see where you fit, in the grand scheme of things, is mostly a waste of time. So instead of suffering through all of the brain damage, I'm just going to go out there and try to earn it everyday and hopefully good things happen.
5. Do you miss the long Midwest League bus rides?
- At six feet seven inches, bus rides of any kind will never be my friend. This is especially true for the all night trips to Clinton, Iowa and the Quad Cities. So to answer your question, no, the trips will not be missed. However, it did give me plenty of good reading time and allowed me to watch a few DVD's that I hadn't seen.
6. What was your most memorable baseball moment in 2007?
- Winning the Midwest League Championship without question. Having never been through a full season and experiencing the rigors that go along with it, I can truly say that it was incredibly rewarding to be the last team standing. This was true not only for the players and coaches but for the entire Whitecap fan-base. After the great support across the entire season, it was pretty neat to be able to call ourselves back to back Midwest League Champions. The Whitecaps organization and fans deserved it. They were top-notch across the board.
7. How would you rate your time in West Michigan?
- My time in Grand Rapids was the best. Being able to wake up and drive to field like Fifth Third Ballpark, play in front of those kinds of crowds and go home to a host family like Dave and Melissa Garland, it was an experience that can't be beaten. During the "Dog Days" of summer when the season tends to get long, it can be a struggle at times. But playing in West Michigan made it a lot more tolerable. It also didn't hurt that we won more games than we lost and we were in a playoff hunt. I can't thank Dave and Melissa enough for opening up their home to me and making me feel like part of the family. To me, the family atmosphere and welcoming community are what made the 2007 season a great one!
8. What is the #1 thing you are looking to improve upon in Spring Training this year?
- Like I mentioned before, I'm hoping to arrive at Spring Training with a better overall feel for my off-speed pitches. Spring Training is also a time to improve on all aspects of the game. Anyone who comes down to Lakeland will most likely see their fair share of pickoff practice, fielding practice and conditioning. Repetition is key when you're preparing to go through a 140 game season, not to mention the playoffs. I'm also looking forward to the heat and being able to be outside for other reasons than to warm your car up.
9. Where do you anticipate playing in 2008, Lakeland or Erie?
- Right now I anticipate arriving in Lakeland ready to get after it and compete on March 3rd. That's basically all that I have control of. The rest is in the hands of someone more important than I. I think my pitching coach at Nebraska put in best by saying, "pitch like your hair is on fire." That's mainly what I'm going to try to do, pound the strike zone, get ground balls and try and throw up zeros. Hopefully by doing that I'll find a spot somewhere.
So here it is, our Q&A with Brett Jensen.
1. What have you been up to this off season?
- This off-season I've been living in Lincoln, Nebraska where I played college ball, with a roommate from the Cardinals organization. A few ex-huskers and I have been working out at the university in preparation for the season. Also, on the side, I've been doing some pitching clinics for Nebraska, gotta pay the bills somehow.
2. Was there anything pitching specific that you've been working on?
- I've really been focusing on my off-speed pitches this winter. Tightening up my slider and change-up have been the top priority. As you advance through the levels it's important to have a feel for multiple pitches in order to get keep hitters off balance. So, I've really been working on adding depth to my slider and developing a better feel for my change-up in all counts. However, I haven't been able to scratch the dirt and toe the rubber for a few months due to the sub-zero temperatures we've been experiencing here in Husker Nation.
3. What do you like best about being a closer?
- Since becoming a closer in college, I've really learned to be comfortable with the role and the pressures that come with it. My favorite part of being a closer is getting the ball in crucial situations with the ability to help my team win ballgames. For me, last year, there was nothing better than watching a starter go out and pitch his tail off for six or seven innings, then hand it off to a guy like Ed Clelland or Casey Fien, then being able to take the ball from one of those guys and finish the game. To me, that's what it's all about, everybody playing their part and executing for a quality win.
4. The Tigers traded many pitching prospects in this off season, how do you feel it has impacted your chances of progressing through the Tigers farm system?
- To be honest, I haven't really given it much thought. My view has always been that if you pitch well enough and work on the areas of your game that need improvement in order to succeed at the next level, then there's going to be a spot for you. I think everyone that has been around minor league baseball could tell you that nothing is for certain and that nothing is given to you. That being said, looking at prospects that have left or prospects that have come and trying to see where you fit, in the grand scheme of things, is mostly a waste of time. So instead of suffering through all of the brain damage, I'm just going to go out there and try to earn it everyday and hopefully good things happen.
5. Do you miss the long Midwest League bus rides?
- At six feet seven inches, bus rides of any kind will never be my friend. This is especially true for the all night trips to Clinton, Iowa and the Quad Cities. So to answer your question, no, the trips will not be missed. However, it did give me plenty of good reading time and allowed me to watch a few DVD's that I hadn't seen.
6. What was your most memorable baseball moment in 2007?
- Winning the Midwest League Championship without question. Having never been through a full season and experiencing the rigors that go along with it, I can truly say that it was incredibly rewarding to be the last team standing. This was true not only for the players and coaches but for the entire Whitecap fan-base. After the great support across the entire season, it was pretty neat to be able to call ourselves back to back Midwest League Champions. The Whitecaps organization and fans deserved it. They were top-notch across the board.
7. How would you rate your time in West Michigan?
- My time in Grand Rapids was the best. Being able to wake up and drive to field like Fifth Third Ballpark, play in front of those kinds of crowds and go home to a host family like Dave and Melissa Garland, it was an experience that can't be beaten. During the "Dog Days" of summer when the season tends to get long, it can be a struggle at times. But playing in West Michigan made it a lot more tolerable. It also didn't hurt that we won more games than we lost and we were in a playoff hunt. I can't thank Dave and Melissa enough for opening up their home to me and making me feel like part of the family. To me, the family atmosphere and welcoming community are what made the 2007 season a great one!
8. What is the #1 thing you are looking to improve upon in Spring Training this year?
- Like I mentioned before, I'm hoping to arrive at Spring Training with a better overall feel for my off-speed pitches. Spring Training is also a time to improve on all aspects of the game. Anyone who comes down to Lakeland will most likely see their fair share of pickoff practice, fielding practice and conditioning. Repetition is key when you're preparing to go through a 140 game season, not to mention the playoffs. I'm also looking forward to the heat and being able to be outside for other reasons than to warm your car up.
9. Where do you anticipate playing in 2008, Lakeland or Erie?
- Right now I anticipate arriving in Lakeland ready to get after it and compete on March 3rd. That's basically all that I have control of. The rest is in the hands of someone more important than I. I think my pitching coach at Nebraska put in best by saying, "pitch like your hair is on fire." That's mainly what I'm going to try to do, pound the strike zone, get ground balls and try and throw up zeros. Hopefully by doing that I'll find a spot somewhere.
4 comments:
Very nice Q&A w/ Brett. Enjoyed reading that. Of course I'm biased and his brother, so I like about any story w/ his name in it!
Enjoyed following the Whitecaps last year through your stories and pictures. Keep up the good work guys!
Thanks alot man. It was nice to meet you during the playoffs last season.
Keep on keeping on!!
I would just like to say that I hope Jensen makes it to the "big show" because he is a good kid that truly deserves it!
This kid is great and comes from a great family background. When he does make it to the "Big Show" we will all be proud of him.
Post a Comment