Key facts
- Jarred Kelenic made his first start for the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
- Kelenic joined the Rangers on a minor league contract on June 2.
- He began the 2024 season with Triple-A Charlotte after signing with the Chicago White Sox.
- The White Sox designated Kelenic for assignment in late April.
- Kelenic was traded to Atlanta from Seattle before the 2024 season.
- He was a top prospect when he debuted for Seattle in 2021.
Jarred Kelenic, once considered one of baseball's top prospects, is embarking on his latest opportunity in Major League Baseball with the Texas Rangers. This marks his fourth team in four seasons and his second stint in the majors this year, having joined each club on a minor league contract.
Kelenic made his debut for the Rangers in left field against San Diego on Saturday. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker noted Kelenic's talent, stating he broke into the league at 25 and was not nearly as talented as Kelenic was at that age.
Kelenic, the sixth overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft, debuted for the Seattle Mariners in 2021 at age 21. He was a key piece in a trade that sent Robinson Canó and Edwin Diaz to the New York Mets. After struggling in his first two seasons with Seattle, hitting .168 in his first 500 at-bats, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves before the 2024 season. He hit .222 over two years with the Braves.
This year, Kelenic signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox and began the season in Triple-A Charlotte. He was designated for assignment in late April after playing 19 games with a .226 average. He then signed a minor league deal with the Rangers on June 2, hitting .340 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 13 games at Triple-A Round Rock before his latest call-up.
Kelenic acknowledged the pressure of expectations but expressed unwavering faith in his talent and potential. He believes his approach has evolved, emphasizing the importance of a game plan against pitchers, a lesson learned from past experiences, including a broken foot injury from kicking a water cooler in 2021.