Logan Kensing

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2003
A-:  2-4-0, 5.73 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 33.0 IP, 1.6 BB/9, 5.5 K/9
A:  0-2-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 20.0 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 5.0 K/9 

Got hit hard in short season debut, but pitched better in low A, although with a low K rate.

2004
A+:  6-7-0, 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 127.2 IP, 2.5 BB/9, 7.0 K/9
MLB:  0-3-0, 9.88 ERA, 2.05 WHIP, 13.2 IP, 5.9 BB/9, 4.6 K/9

Kensing had a strong season in high A, although his K rate was a little low.  He allowed only five HRs.  The Marlins called him up in September when they had a string of doubleheaders.  He started three games, then made a couple of relief appearances late in the month.  Not surprisingly, he wasn’t ready for the majors.

2005
AA:  4-1-0, 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 39.2 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 7.5 K/9
MLB:  0-0-0, 11.12 ERA, 2.47 WHIP, 5.2 IP, 4.8 BB/9, 6.4 K/9

Kensing started seven games in AA and pitched very well, then was called up and had three poor relief outings before going out for the season with an elbow injury.

2006
AAA:  1-1-0, 3.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 18.0 IP, 2.5 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
MLB:  1-3-1, 4.54 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 37.2 IP, 4.5 BB/9, 10.8 K/9

The Marlins moved Kensing permanently to the bullpen.  He started off pitching well in AAA, then was called up after a month.  He pitched respectably for the Marlins, holding hitters to a .221 average and fanning well over a batter an inning, but walking too many.  A wrist injury ended his season ended in early August.

2007
R:  0-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 3.0 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 15.0 K/9
A+:  0-0-0, 27.00 ERA, 6.00 WHIP, 0.2 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 27.0 K/9
AA:  0-0-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3.0 IP, 3.0 BB/9, 18.0 K/9
AAA:  0-1-0, 4.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 9.0 IP, 7.0 BB/9, 8.0 K/9
MLB:  3-0-0, 1.35 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 13.1 IP, 4.7 BB/9, 8.8 K/9

Opened the season on the disabled list due to elbow surgery.  He returned in August and worked his way up through the minors.  He spent September with the Marlins and pitched well except for a high walk rate.

2008
AAA:  1-0-0, 6.39 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 12.2 IP, 8.5 BB/9, 12.1 K/9
MLB:  3-1-0, 4.23 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 55.1 IP, 5.4 BB/9, 8.9 K/9

Kensing opened the season with the Marlins and didn’t pitch badly, but he continued to have trouble with walks.  The Marlins had obtained a fourth option for him, which they used in July.  He struggled in AAA, but returned after about a month and pitched about the same as before.  He continued to post good strikeout rates.

2009
AAA (Wash):  2-1-17, 2.97 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 33.1 IP, 1.6 BB/9, 9.4 K/9
MLB (Fla):  0-1-0, 9.82 ERA, 2.59 WHIP, 7.1 IP, 6.1 BB/9, 8.6 K/9
MLB (Wash):  1-1-1, 8.68 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, 28.0 IP, 3.9 BB/9, 3.9 K/9 

After opening the season with the Marlins and pitching poorly through late April, Kensing was traded to the Nationals.  He was designated for assignment two weeks later, then brought back up two months later after pitching very well, with excellent walk and strikeout rates, in AAA.  He didn’t continue his success in the majors, as he got hit hard, allowed a HR every four innings, and saw his K rate plummet.  In retrospect, it seems likely his shoulder wasn’t healthy.

2010
Did not play

Kensing signed a minor league deal with the Rays, but had two shoulder surgeries and missed the entire season.

2011
IND:  0-0-0, 1.59 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 11.1 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 12.7 K/9
AAA:  1-1-4, 4.28 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 27.1 IP, 4.3 BB/9, 10.5 K/9

Kensing opened the season in independent ball and pitched well.  He eventually caught on with the Yankees and pitched in AAA the rest of the year.  He wasn’t effective, with continuing control problems, but he at least maintained a high K rate.

2012
A+:  1-1-0, 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 5.1 IP, 6.8 BB/9, 1.7 K/9
AA:  2-0-1, 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 17.2 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 7.1 K/9
AAA:  0-0-0, 4.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 11.0 IP, 4.1 BB/9, 8.2 K/9 

Kensing was hurt at the start of the season.  He was activated in mid-May and made his way up from Bradenton to Indianapolis, although he missed half of June with another injury.  He pitched sparingly and entirely in relief.  He was much more effective in AAA than he was the previous year, although his control still wasn’t great.

Kensing’s issues with injuries continued in 2012.  It’s been difficult throughout his career to judge his performance due to the fact that he’s seldom been healthy.  He’ll be a free agent in the fall.