Jarred Kelenic, once one of baseball’s most promising prospects, is now aiming for redemption with the Chicago White Sox in 2024. The former No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Kelenic has struggled to live up to expectations throughout his major-league career, and this spring training in Peoria, Arizona, represents a crucial opportunity to prove he still belongs in the majors.
Early Promise Meets Career Challenges
Kelenic was initially drafted by the New York Mets but never appeared in a major league game for the team. The Mets traded him to the Seattle Mariners in a high-profile offseason deal that brought aging stars Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York. Seattle hoped Kelenic, once ranked as the fourth-best prospect in baseball, would develop into a core player. Instead, he endured a disappointing tenure in Seattle, posting a .168 batting average with 167 strikeouts in 147 games across 2021 and 2022. His frustration culminated in a 2023 incident where he fractured his left foot by kicking a Gatorade cooler in the dugout.
Struggles Continue in Atlanta Before White Sox Opportunity
After being traded to the Atlanta Braves, Kelenic’s offensive woes persisted. He hit just .167 in 60 games during the 2023 season with a below-average OPS+ of 49, underscoring his ongoing difficulties at the plate. Now with the White Sox, Kelenic is without a guaranteed spot on the 40-man roster, competing in camp on a minor league deal with everything to prove if he hopes to extend his major league career.
Mental Toughness Remains Despite Unyielding Road
Kelenic is aware of the challenges baseball has presented and remains determined. Reflecting on his struggles, he said,
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The game sucks sometimes, man. It’ll beat you down. But at the end of the day, you’ve just got to stick to your strengths and superpowers, ride with those and have as much confidence as you can in yourself in a game where you’re set up to fail.
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His acknowledgment of the sport’s difficulties and his need to rely on his own confidence reveals his mental approach to overcoming setbacks.
Spring Training Displays Mixed Signs of Progress
During spring games at Salt River Fields, Kelenic hit a three-run homer against the Arizona Diamondbacks, his first spring home run for the White Sox. However, his overall offensive numbers remain underwhelming, reflected in a .200 batting average with seven strikeouts over 21 plate appearances. White Sox manager Will Venable tempered expectations, stating,
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It’s a small sample size. It’s Arizona. We’re not putting any stock into this statistically. Are you hitting the ball hard? Are you playing well defensively? Are you putting in the work? And on all that he is.
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Venable acknowledged there is still an opening for Kelenic if he can demonstrate significant improvement, adding,
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There’s a path for him. He’s still here. We haven’t made any decisions yet about him or anybody else. He still has a shot.
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A Career at a Crossroads at Age 26
Kelenic’s journey has been unconventional from the start. A native of Wisconsin, he was one of the highest-drafted players ever from his state despite never playing high school baseball for Waukesha West High School. Turning down a scholarship from the University of Louisville, he focused on winter training before entering professional baseball. At 26 years old, with several unfulfilled seasons behind him, Kelenic faces an uncertain future and the possibility of a career change if his performance does not improve markedly.
Learning from Difficulties to Forge a New Path
Despite ongoing challenges, Kelenic sees each setback as a lesson. He reflected,
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I think just like anyone has throughout life there were a lot of things I went through that were negative. I felt like there were really big learning opportunities for me that ultimately made me who I am today just like from an approach standpoint. The outlook of who I am, my own self.
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He continued,
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I can’t generalize it into one thing, but I’ve just been trying to take those times that weren’t so great and turn them into a learning opportunity because that’s the only way you can get any better.
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Hope for a Fresh Start at Camelback Ranch
As Kelenic works to regain his form this spring, he expressed growing confidence in his development.
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I mean, I’m feeling pretty confident. I’m feeling really good about where my head is at and where my swing is at. Again, it’s really early. I still need some reps to keep working on some things. There’s still some pitches I’m missing that when I’m on a roll I’m mashing those things.
”
This positive mindset may be the key ingredient as he tries to revive a career that was once full of promise but has faced significant setbacks.
Pressure Mounts as White Sox Tryout Continues
Once regarded as baseball’s top prospect, Kelenic now finds himself in a do-or-die situation with the White Sox. This season’s performance will likely dictate his future in the major leagues. The team and fans alike await to see if he can capitalize on this final opportunity to write a new chapter in what has been a tumultuous career.
