Kenley Jansen Complains This Year's Baseballs Are Too Slick

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Kenley Jansen is not happy with Major League baseballs this year …like, the actual ball.

The Boston Red Sox closer worked himself out of a jam Sunday to secure his 424th career save. But after the game, the veteran said the poor and "embarrassing" quality of the baseballs made his job much more difficult.

"Any balls that came, I just threw it back until I found a good ball. It's just brutal," Jansen told reporters, according to MassLive. "But for me, yes, I probably have to get better. I always will be accountable for myself. I'm going to get better. But if your bullpen balls are better rubbed than game balls, it's embarrassing. I've been in this league a long time now, and, from the beginning of my career to now, it's getting worse."

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Boston's pitching staff has been solid this season. The Red Sox entered Sunday ranked first in staff ERA and fifth in walk rate. But, according to Jansen, the slippery baseballs have been a consistent cause for concern.

"It's been an issue the whole year. I've been talking to a lot of my teammates, and they feel the same way," Jansen said. "First pitch, get out of my hand, I don't know where it's going. Second pitch, the same thing. Then, I tried to throw a ball down the middle, just keep going down. It's tough trying to make an adjustment and also you have the clock ticking."

Kenley Jansen Is Not Alone In His Criticism

In June 2021, MLB announced punishments, including ejections and suspensions, for the use of sticky substances, which had previously allowed pitchers to better grip the ball.

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And the Red Sox hurlers aren't the only ones speaking out.

Earlier this month, Tampa Bay Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks expressed his frustration with the ball quality after a miserable outing at Coors Field, where he walked all three batters he faced.

"They were horrible. You can mark that down in all caps for me: horrible," Fairbanks told reporters. "That's what happens when you don't throw strikes, you get punished for it. So, I'd love to see those come out of the humidor tomorrow in a little better shape before they get rubbed up, but there's nobody to blame but myself for not being able to adjust to some of the quality issues."

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

A pitch clock last year and slippery balls this year. The league isn't making life easy for its pitchers.