Jarred Kelenic Stats & Scouting Report

AB	412
AVG	.231
OBP	.286
SLG	.393
HR	15

Full name Jarred Robert Kelenic
Born 07/16/1999 in Waukesha, WI
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 206 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Waukesha West
Debut 05/13/2021
Drafted in the 1st round (6th overall) by the New York Mets in 2018 (signed for $4,500,000).

View Draft Report

Kelenic was the only outfielder in the high school class to unanimously make the first team in Baseball America's Preseason All-America vote, as decided on by major scouting directors. Kelenic achieved that honor as one of the best hitters in the class with a balanced and powerful swing, a track record in the middle of USA Baseball's 18U National Team lineup and a strong arm, as well as athleticism, above-average speed and impressive route running. One of the most intense players in the class, Kelenic has a fiery demeanor on the field that gives pause for some evaluators, while others who know him have no issues and see his passionate personality as a positive indicator. He lives and breathes baseball and is regularly in his dad's training facilities in Waukesha, Wis., and also worked out in the same facility as Houston Texans' defensive end J.J. Watt. One of the more polished hitters in the class, Kelenic has the frame and strength to continue to add more power as he gets into player development and could wind up with plus raw power down the road. As he ages, scouts are mixed on whether he stays in center field or moves to a corner, with his backers pointing to exceptional reads and defensive instincts, and detractors saying that his speed will back up as he gets stronger. He has more than enough arm for the outfield, regularly registering 96 mph readings from the grass and regarded as one of the most accurate arms in the class. The challenge with Kelenic is that he's been difficult for teams to scout this spring in Wisconsin. He's playing with a travel team rather than his high school and he's also been seen indoors more frequently than outdoors. The track record for Wisconsin hitters is also poor, but Kelenic's own track record with Team USA and on the showcase circuit, combined with his natural tools and makeup, could allow him to become the exception. He should be one of the first prep bats to get drafted this June.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Hitting: 70. Power: 60. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Kelenic was one of the top high school players in the 2018 draft and was selected sixth overall by the Mets. His tenure lasted only one summer before he was traded to the Mariners in the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Kelenic jumped three levels up to Double-A in his first year with the Mariners. He spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kelenic is an elite young hitter who projects to be an offensive force. He attacks pitches he can hit with authority and lays off pitches that might result in weak contact or swings and misses. Most impressive is his ability to learn and adapt to pitchers’ plans of attack from at-bat to at-bat. Kelenic uses a swing so short and powerful it allows him to wait a beat longer before pulling the trigger. He has good strike-zone awareness, though at times he can get locked up on balls inside. Kelenic is a plus runner who may slow down as he matures but should still steal plenty of bases with his advanced instincts and athleticism. Kelenic’s main focus at the alternate site was his defense. He is an average defender in center field but needs to improve his focus and decisiveness.

THE FUTURE: Kelenic has an all-star potential and his major league debut is on the horizon in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Kelenic was the consensus top high school hitter available in the 2018 draft and became the first prep taken when the Mets picked him sixth overall. Six months later, the Mariners acquired him in the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Kelenic shot through Seattle's system in 2019, jumping three levels to Double-A and posting a 20-20 season. He reported late to the Arizona Fall League due to dental work, then was shut down early with a sore back.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kelenic is a precocious hitter who hits to his strengths and lays off his weaknesses. He has an advanced feel for his swing and makes quick adjustments. Kelenic uses a short, compact swing with powerful hip rotation that allows him to drive balls with above-average power, and he has good enough strike-zone awareness to hit for power without striking out much. A plus runner now, Kelenic may slow down as his body matures but should be a basestealing threat because of his advanced instincts. He has the foundation to be an average defender in center field with a plus arm, but his focus and effort on defense need to improve.

THE FUTURE: Kelenic is a potential all-star in the mold of Jim Edmonds or Grady Sizemore. He'll see Triple-A in 2020.
Track Record: Kelenic won a pair of gold medals for USA Baseball's 18U National Team, then graduated early from his Wisconsin high school to train for the 2018 draft. His pedigree and dedication paid off when the Mets drafted him sixth overall as the first prep player off the board and signed him for a franchise-record $4.5 million bonus. After one summer in the Mets organization, Kelenic was the jewel of the prospect haul for the Mariners in the trade that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York.

Scouting Report: Kelenic immediately became the Mariners' best position prospect after the trade and could develop into a center fielder with five average or better tools. He has a long track record with wood bats and a simple, quick lefthanded swing honed by countless hours in the batting cage. His feel for the barrel gives him a plus hit tool, while his strong batting eye makes him an on-base threat who will bat toward the top of a lineup. Kelenic's raw power is at least plus and as he tweaks his approach and launch angle he should get to above-average pop in games. Projected as an average runner, his raw speed might be a bit short of the center field prototype, but he has the instincts to stick there as a solid-average defender. An above-average arm could make him a plus defender on a corner

The Future: Kelenic turned 19 in July after the draft and was old for his high school class, but that should help ease his transition to low Class A West Virginia in 2019.

Draft Prospects

Kelenic was the only outfielder in the high school class to unanimously make the first team in Baseball America's Preseason All-America vote, as decided on by major scouting directors. Kelenic achieved that honor as one of the best hitters in the class with a balanced and powerful swing, a track record in the middle of USA Baseball's 18U National Team lineup and a strong arm, as well as athleticism, above-average speed and impressive route running. One of the most intense players in the class, Kelenic has a fiery demeanor on the field that gives pause for some evaluators, while others who know him have no issues and see his passionate personality as a positive indicator. He lives and breathes baseball and is regularly in his dad's training facilities in Waukesha, Wis., and also worked out in the same facility as Houston Texans' defensive end J.J. Watt. One of the more polished hitters in the class, Kelenic has the frame and strength to continue to add more power as he gets into player development and could wind up with plus raw power down the road. As he ages, scouts are mixed on whether he stays in center field or moves to a corner, with his backers pointing to exceptional reads and defensive instincts, and detractors saying that his speed will back up as he gets stronger. He has more than enough arm for the outfield, regularly registering 96 mph readings from the grass and regarded as one of the most accurate arms in the class. The challenge with Kelenic is that he's been difficult for teams to scout this spring in Wisconsin. He's playing with a travel team rather than his high school and he's also been seen indoors more frequently than outdoors. The track record for Wisconsin hitters is also poor, but Kelenic's own track record with Team USA and on the showcase circuit, combined with his natural tools and makeup, could allow him to become the exception. He should be one of the first prep bats to get drafted this June.

Minor League Top Prospects

Kelenic received his first big league callup after just six games but returned to Tacoma in early June. He spent another month with the Rainiers and posted a 1.088 OPS to earn another callup to Seattle after the all-star break. Though Kelenic struggled initially in the majors, he flashed immense physical ability with Tacoma. He showed a tight, compact swing with above-average power, ably played all three outfield positions and impacted games with his aggressive baserunning. He recorded a hit in 23 of 30 games, including 19 extra-base hits. “He’s a complete, a five-tool player,” former El Paso manager Edwin Rodriguez said. “Eventually he’s going to be one of the best outfielders in the game, period.” Kelenic started pressing and snowballed during his first MLB stint, but he showed growth upon his return to Tacoma. He carried that into his second stint in the majors, where he overcame another slow start and progressively improved each month.
Kelenic moved up to the Cal League on May 30 and immediately held his own. He missed two weeks with a wrist injury and another week with a sprained ankle, but he still ranked in the top 10 in OPS (.838) during his time in the league before an August promotion to Double-A. Kelenic earned universal reviews as a potential plus hitter. He turned around premium velocity, controlled the strike zone and hit both lefties and righties. His flat-planed swing is more geared for contact, but he showed the ingredients to grow into above-average or more power. "His bat speed is off the charts,” Visalia manager Shawn Roof said. "Some of the pitches he hit, you don’t see from most players, especially not a 19-year-old kid.” Kelenic showed above-average speed and agility in center field and a plus arm, but assertiveness on fly balls and decision-making on throws need to improve.
Drafted sixth overall by the Mets in 2018, Kelenic was traded the Mariners in December as part of the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Kelenic began his season by blitzing the South Atlantic League, and he ended it as the second-youngest hitter in the Double-A Texas League. The 20-year-old Kelenic impressed at every step along the way with a smooth, level swing. He can line doubles to left field, but he also has the ability to yank home runs over the right-field fence. He seemed one step ahead of pitchers throughout his time with West Virginia. "He asks questions you don’t hear 18- to 19-year-old hitters talk about,” West Virginia manager David Berg said. "He’s a good hitter. He was hitting balls to the opposite field in spring training like righthanded hitters pull them. He has a really good approach. He impacts the baseball hard.” Scouts generally said they believe Kelenic can stay in center field as an average defender, but his plus arm would also fit in right field.
Drafted sixth overall, Kelenic was the first high school player selected in 2018. He split his pro debut between Kingsport and the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, hitting .286/.371/.468 with six home runs and 15 stolen bases in 56 games. Kelenic faded down the stretch in the Appy League but showed solid plate discipline and the ability to hit the ball with authority to the opposite field thanks to a balanced, simple swing and quick hands. Coaches rave about his work ethic, which is nothing new. Kelenic was renowned in high school for the massive amount of time he spent in the gym and hitting in batting cages. Scouts are mixed on whether Kelenic will be able to stick in center field, but the immediate returns were a good sign. The Wisconsin product showed above-average speed to go with an above-average, accurate arm, but more importantly he displayed instincts beyond his age with his route-running and positioning that give him a chance to stick up the middle. It all depends on how well he retains his speed as he matures.

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Athlete in the Seattle Mariners in 2020
Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Seattle Mariners in 2020
Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Seattle Mariners in 2019

Scouting Reports

Kelenic received his first big league callup after just six games but returned to Tacoma in early June. He spent another month with the Rainiers and posted a 1.088 OPS to earn another callup to Seattle after the all-star break. Though Kelenic struggled initially in the majors, he flashed immense physical ability with Tacoma. He showed a tight, compact swing with above-average power, ably played all three outfield positions and impacted games with his aggressive baserunning. He recorded a hit in 23 of 30 games, including 19 extra-base hits. “He’s a complete, a five-tool player,” former El Paso manager Edwin Rodriguez said. “Eventually he’s going to be one of the best outfielders in the game, period.” Kelenic started pressing and snowballed during his first MLB stint, but he showed growth upon his return to Tacoma. He carried that into his second stint in the majors, where he overcame another slow start and progressively improved each month.
Hitting: 70. Power: 60. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Kelenic was one of the top high school players in the 2018 draft and was selected sixth overall by the Mets. His tenure lasted only one summer before he was traded to the Mariners in the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Kelenic jumped three levels up to Double-A in his first year with the Mariners. He spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kelenic is an elite young hitter who projects to be an offensive force. He attacks pitches he can hit with authority and lays off pitches that might result in weak contact or swings and misses. Most impressive is his ability to learn and adapt to pitchers’ plans of attack from at-bat to at-bat. Kelenic uses a swing so short and powerful it allows him to wait a beat longer before pulling the trigger. He has good strike-zone awareness, though at times he can get locked up on balls inside. Kelenic is a plus runner who may slow down as he matures but should still steal plenty of bases with his advanced instincts and athleticism. Kelenic’s main focus at the alternate site was his defense. He is an average defender in center field but needs to improve his focus and decisiveness.

THE FUTURE: Kelenic has an all-star potential and his major league debut is on the horizon in 2021.
Hitting: 70. Power: 60. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Kelenic was one of the top high school players in the 2018 draft and was selected sixth overall by the Mets. His tenure lasted only one summer before he was traded to the Mariners in the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Kelenic jumped three levels up to Double-A in his first year with the Mariners. He spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kelenic is an elite young hitter who projects to be an offensive force. He attacks pitches he can hit with authority and lays off pitches that might result in weak contact or swings and misses. Most impressive is his ability to learn and adapt to pitchers’ plans of attack from at-bat to at-bat. Kelenic uses a swing so short and powerful it allows him to wait a beat longer before pulling the trigger. He has good strike-zone awareness, though at times he can get locked up on balls inside. Kelenic is a plus runner who may slow down as he matures but should still steal plenty of bases with his advanced instincts and athleticism. Kelenic’s main focus at the alternate site was his defense. He is an average defender in center field but needs to improve his focus and decisiveness.

THE FUTURE: Kelenic has an all-star potential and his major league debut is on the horizon in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Kelenic was the consensus top high school hitter available in the 2018 draft and became the first prep taken when the Mets picked him sixth overall. Six months later, the Mariners acquired him in the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Kelenic shot through Seattle’s system in 2019, jumping three levels to Double-A and posting a 20-20 season. He reported late to the Arizona Fall League due to dental work, then was shut down early with a sore back.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kelenic is a precocious hitter who hits to his strengths and lays off his weaknesses. He has an advanced feel for his swing and makes quick adjustments. Kelenic uses a short, compact swing with powerful hip rotation that allows him to drive balls with above-average power, and he has good enough strike-zone awareness to hit for power without striking out much. A plus runner now, Kelenic may slow down as his body matures but should be a basestealing threat because of his advanced instincts. He has the foundation to be an average defender in center field with a plus arm, but his focus and effort on defense need to improve.

THE FUTURE: Kelenic is a potential all-star in the mold of Jim Edmonds or Grady Sizemore. He’ll see Triple-A in 2020.
TRACK RECORD: Kelenic was the consensus top high school hitter available in the 2018 draft and became the first prep taken when the Mets picked him sixth overall. Six months later, the Mariners acquired him in the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Kelenic shot through Seattle's system in 2019, jumping three levels to Double-A and posting a 20-20 season. He reported late to the Arizona Fall League due to dental work, then was shut down early with a sore back.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kelenic is a precocious hitter who hits to his strengths and lays off his weaknesses. He has an advanced feel for his swing and makes quick adjustments. Kelenic uses a short, compact swing with powerful hip rotation that allows him to drive balls with above-average power, and he has good enough strike-zone awareness to hit for power without striking out much. A plus runner now, Kelenic may slow down as his body matures but should be a basestealing threat because of his advanced instincts. He has the foundation to be an average defender in center field with a plus arm, but his focus and effort on defense need to improve.

THE FUTURE: Kelenic is a potential all-star in the mold of Jim Edmonds or Grady Sizemore. He'll see Triple-A in 2020.
Drafted sixth overall by the Mets in 2018, Kelenic was traded the Mariners in December as part of the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Kelenic began his season by blitzing the South Atlantic League, and he ended it as the second-youngest hitter in the Double-A Texas League. The 20-year-old Kelenic impressed at every step along the way with a smooth, level swing. He can line doubles to left field, but he also has the ability to yank home runs over the right-field fence. He seemed one step ahead of pitchers throughout his time with West Virginia. "He asks questions you don’t hear 18- to 19-year-old hitters talk about,” West Virginia manager David Berg said. "He’s a good hitter. He was hitting balls to the opposite field in spring training like righthanded hitters pull them. He has a really good approach. He impacts the baseball hard.” Scouts generally said they believe Kelenic can stay in center field as an average defender, but his plus arm would also fit in right field.
Kelenic moved up to the Cal League on May 30 and immediately held his own. He missed two weeks with a wrist injury and another week with a sprained ankle, but he still ranked in the top 10 in OPS (.838) during his time in the league before an August promotion to Double-A. Kelenic earned universal reviews as a potential plus hitter. He turned around premium velocity, controlled the strike zone and hit both lefties and righties. His flat-planed swing is more geared for contact, but he showed the ingredients to grow into above-average or more power. "His bat speed is off the charts,” Visalia manager Shawn Roof said. "Some of the pitches he hit, you don’t see from most players, especially not a 19-year-old kid.” Kelenic showed above-average speed and agility in center field and a plus arm, but assertiveness on fly balls and decision-making on throws need to improve.
The Mets chose Kelenic sixth overall in June, making him the first high school batter selected in 2018 and also the highest prep drafted from Wisconsin in draft history. He moved quickly from the Gulf Coast League to the Appalachian League in his pro debut, showing the necessary work ethic and drive to go with outstanding tools. Kellenic’s smooth lefthanded swing portends above-average—and possibly plus—hitting ability and power, and he backs that with above-average range and arm strength in center field.