Brewers quickly learning the Danny Jansen reality that Rays already knew

When the Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline, they weren’t looking for a star; they were looking for stability. A steady glove behind the plate, some pop in the bat, and maybe, just maybe, a hot streak at the right time.

Instead, what they’ve gotten is exactly what Tampa Bay already knew: Jansen is streaky. And right now, the pendulum is stuck on cold.

Danny Jansen’s slump follows him to Milwaukee, but power still lingers

Through his last 15 games, Jansen is slashing .172/.368/.448. The OBP suggests a patient hitter with a discerning eye at the plate, but the batting average continues to drag down any momentum. His season-long batting average just dipped below the Mendoza Line, sitting at .199 on the year.

Still, there are signs of life beneath the surface. Jansen has launched 11 home runs and driven in 30 runs this season — numbers that suggest when he squares one up, it can change a game in an instant. There’s no denying the power potential is still there, even if it comes in unpredictable waves. But therein lies the rub. Consistency has never been Jansen’s calling card, and the Brewers are quickly learning that trusting his bat means embracing the highs and bracing for the lows. It’s a rollercoaster ride, and all they can do is hope the next big upswing arrives before the postseason does.

To be fair, the bar wasn’t especially high. Jansen was brought in as a minor upgrade over Eric Haase, who managed just two home runs and nine RBI in 30 games before the Brewers moved on. Haase made a bit more contact, but Jansen’s defensive acumen and sporadic power made him a calculated risk worth taking.

The Brewers don’t need a game-changer, they need the occasional spark. A competent backup catcher who could offer thump in the lineup, work well with pitchers, and avoid being a black hole offensively. That was the bet. And while it hasn’t paid off immediately, there’s still plenty of time.

With the postseason race tightening, the hope is that Jansen finds one of those trademark hot streaks before October. If he does, the Brewers may look back at this move as a quiet win. But for now, they’re enduring what comes with Jansen. Promise and patience.