Jarred Kelenic

Kelenic attended Waukesha West High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. In 2016, he was named MVP of USA Baseball's U-18 team that won gold at the Pan American Games.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2016/10/23/after-gold-medal-performance-waukeshas-kelenic-continues-rapid-rise/92652818/|title=After gold-medal performance, Waukesha's Kelenic continues rapid rise|last=Radcliffe|first=JR|date=October 23, 2016|website=Journal Sentinel|publication-place=Milwaukee, WI|access-date=December 8, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2016/10/10/waukeshas-jarred-kelenic-wins-gold-team-usa-baseball-squad/91878986/|title=Waukesha's Jarred Kelenic wins gold with Team USA baseball squad|last=Radcliffe|first=JR|date=October 10, 2016|website=Journal Sentinel|publication-place=Milwaukee, WI|access-date=December 8, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/newswatch/waukesha-wests-jarred-kelenic-makes-cut-for-team-usa-u18-baseball-team-b99752272z1-384611731.html|title=Waukesha West's Jarred Kelenic makes cut for Team USA U18 baseball team|last=Radcliffe|first=JR|date=June 27, 2016|website=archive.jsonline.com|access-date=December 8, 2018}} He committed to play college baseball at the University of Louisville.{{cite web|url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/PlayerProfile.aspx?ID=436063|title=Jarred Kelenic|website=Perfectgame.org|access-date=July 23, 2018}}

In July 2017, Kelenic participated in the High School Home Run Derby at Marlins Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2017/07/11/waukesha-wests-kelenic-appears-high-school-home-run-derby-all-star-game-miami/466955001/|title=Waukesha West's Kelenic appears in high-school home run derby at All-Star Game in Miami|last=Radcliffe|first=JR|date=July 10, 2017|website=Journal Sentinel|publication-place=Milwaukee, WI|access-date=December 8, 2018}} Later that month, he played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game.{{cite web|url=http://usatodayhss.com/2017/nine-players-invited-to-under-armour-all-america-game-for-baseball|title=Nine players invited to Under Armour All-America Game for baseball|last=Radcliffe|first=JR|date=March 21, 2017|website=USA Today|access-date=December 8, 2018}} He again played for Team USA in 2017 and won a gold medal for the second consecutive year.

Kelenic was considered one of the top prospects for the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2018-mlb-draft-prospects-at-chicago-pdp/c-237881708|title=2018 MLB Draft prospects at Chicago PDP|website=MLB.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2018/|title=MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch|website=MLB.com|access-date=April 7, 2018}} He was drafted sixth overall by the New York Mets and signed with the team for $4.5 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/mets-agree-to-terms-with-first-rounder-jarred-kelenic.html|title=Mets Agree To Terms With First-Rounder Jarred Kelenic|last=Todd|first=Jeff|date=June 8, 2018|work=MLB Trade Rumors}} After signing with the Mets, Kelenic was assigned to the Rookie League Gulf Coast League Mets{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/jarred-kelenic-mets-1.19236217|title=Jarred Kelenic, Mets' No. 1 draft pick, signs pro contract|last=Healey|first=Tim|date=June 15, 2018|website=Newsday|access-date=December 8, 2018}} before being promoted to the Rookie League Kingsport Mets of the Rookie-level Appalachian League in July. In 56 games between the two clubs, he slashed .286/.371/.468 with six home runs, 42 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=672284#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL|title=Jarred Kelenic Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=September 11, 2018}}

On December 3, 2018, the Mets traded Kelenic, Jay Bruce, Gerson Bautista, Justin Dunn and Anthony Swarzak to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Robinson Canó, Edwin Díaz, and $20 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-trade-robinson-cano-edwin-diaz-to-the-mets-in-blockbuster-seven-player-swap/|title=It's official: Mariners trade Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz to the Mets in blockbuster seven-player swap|last=Divish|first=Ryan|date=December 3, 2018|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=December 8, 2018}} He began 2019 with the West Virginia Power of the Single–A South Atlantic League.{{cite web|url=https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/west_virginia_power/west-virginia-power-outfielder-jarred-kelenic-ready-to-meet-lofty/article_c89b7e22-ea0c-55f2-984e-4f5d8999dbfe.html|title=West Virginia Power: Outfielder Jarred Kelenic ready to meet lofty expectations|first=Derek|last=Redd|work=Charleston Gazette-Mail|date=April 2, 2019|access-date=April 5, 2019}} Kelenic was promoted to the Modesto Nuts of the High–A California League in May.{{cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/mlb/2019/05/seattle-mariners-top-prospect-jarred-kelenic-promoted.html|title=Seattle Mariners top prospect Jarred Kelenic promoted|first=Brian|last=Hight|website=OregonLive.com|date=May 31, 2019|access-date=June 2, 2019}} Kelenic was named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-futures-game-rosters?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage|title=Here are the 2019 Futures Game rosters|author=Jim Callis|website=MLB.com|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=June 29, 2019}} In August, he was promoted to the Arkansas Travelers of the Double–A Texas League.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-promote-top-prospect-jarred-kelenic-to-class-aa-arkansas/ |title=Mariners promote top prospect Jarred Kelenic to Class AA Arkansas |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=August 10, 2019 |accessdate=May 25, 2021}} Over 117 games between the three clubs, he slashed .291/.364/.540 with 23 home runs, 68 RBIs, and twenty stolen bases.{{Cite web|url=http://sports.mynorthwest.com/1318961/should-mariners-jarred-kelenic-debut-opening-day/?|title=Cases for and against Mariners' Jarred Kelenic making opening day debut|date=February 26, 2021|website=sports.MyNorthwest.com}} He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Peoria Javelinas following the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-arizona-fall-league-rosters |title=2019 Arizona Fall League rosters |work=Mlb.com |date= |accessdate=May 25, 2021}} Kelenic did not appear in a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and spent the summer at Seattle's training camp.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jarred-kelenic-confident-in-abilities |title=Jarred Kelenic confident in abilities |work=Mlb.com |date= |accessdate=May 25, 2021}} Throughout his minor league career, Kelenic was ranked highly by prospect evaluators, with both MLB.com and Baseball America ranking him as the eleventh-best prospect in baseball in 2020 and the fourth-best in 2021.{{cite web |title=Top 100 Baseball Prospects |url=https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2020/top100/ |website=MLB.com |access-date=May 27, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=2020 Top 100 MLB Prospects |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2020-top-100-prospects/ |website=www.baseballamerica.com |date=January 2020 |access-date=May 27, 2023}}

In February 2021, Kelenic stated that the Mariners had kept him in the minor leagues during the 2020 season because he had refused to sign an extension. His comments occurred after a video of Mariners CEO Kevin Mather speaking to a rotary club was posted online. Mather indicated that Kelenic and fellow Mariners prospect Logan Gilbert would start the 2021 season in the minor leagues, keeping them under team control for an extra year before free agency.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christianred/2021/02/22/kevin-mathers-remarks-about-mariners-prospect-jarred-kelenic-spotlight-lingering-problem-in-baseball/?sh=1dbd890d655f |title=Kevin Mather's Remarks About Mariners Prospect Jarred Kelenic Spotlight Lingering Problem In Baseball |last=Red |first=Christian |date=February 22, 2021 |work=Forbes |access-date=February 27, 2021}} After the comments became public, Kelenic said that the Mariners had offered him a contract extension and had told him multiple times that he would have appeared with the major league team in 2020 had he signed it. Instead, Kelenic spent the 2020 season at the team's alternate training site. In response, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that Kelenic was not yet ready to play on the major league team.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2021/02/24/jarred-kelenic-mariners-prospect-service-time-manipulation/4568463001/ |title=Seattle Mariners prospect Jarred Kelenic says team is punishing him for refusing to sign contract extension |last=Nightengale |first=Bob |date=February 24, 2021 |work=USA Today |access-date=February 27, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30956455/prospect-jarred-kelenic-says-service-being-manipulated-seattle-mariners |title=Prospect Jarred Kelenic says his service time being manipulated by Seattle Mariners |author= |date=February 24, 2021 |website=ESPN |access-date= February 27, 2021}} Despite impressing during spring training, with two home runs and a 1.256 OPS in nine games, Kelenic was assigned to the Tacoma Rainiers of the Triple-A West League to begin the 2021 season.{{Cite web |title=Kelenic reassigned, vows to 'play my tail off' |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jarred-kelenic-reassigned-by-mariners |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Lauren |date= |title=Mariners takeaways: Top prospect Jarred Kelenic, other up-and-comers off to quick starts in minors |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners/article251276234.html |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=The News Tribune}}

On May 13, 2021, Kelenic was added to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite web|author=Steve Adams |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/mariners-officially-promote-jarred-kelenic-logan-gilbert.html |title=Mariners Officially Promote Jarred Kelenic, Logan Gilbert |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=May 13, 2021 |accessdate=May 25, 2021}} He made his debut that day as the starting left fielder against the Cleveland Indians, going hitless in four at-bats. The next day, on May 14, Kelenic recorded his first MLB hit, a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning for an estimated distance of 403 feet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401227620|title=Indians vs. Mariners - Game Summary - May 14, 2021 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} On June 7, 2021, amid a 0-39 slump, he was sent down to Triple–A.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/mariners-announce-roster-moves.html|title = Mariners Option Jarred Kelenic| date=June 7, 2021 }} In June 2021, Kelenic was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-futures-game-rosters|title = Futures Game rosters are STACKED|website = MLB.com}} Kelenic was called back up to the major leagues after the All-Star break and stayed on the roster for the remainder of the season, contributing to the Mariners' ultimately unsuccessful late-season playoff push.{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Outfielder Jarred Kelenic will rejoin Mariners when they play Angels on Friday |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/outfielder-jarred-kelenic-will-rejoin-mariners-when-they-play-angels-on-friday/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{Cite web |title=Waukesha's Jarred Kelenic and Seattle Mariners suddenly on doorstep of playoff spot |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/2021/09/30/waukesha-native-jarred-kelenic-putting-seattle-doorstep-playoffs/5927673001/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |work=Journal Sentinel}} Kelenic finished the 2021 season batting .181/.265/.350 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs in 93 games.{{Cite web | url=https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1559113/no-reason-to-panic-after-mariners-of-jarred-kelenics-rocky-debut/ | title='No reason to panic' after Mariners OF Jarred Kelenic's rocky debut | date=January 21, 2022 }}

Prior to the 2022 season, due to his performance during the tail end of the Mariners' 2021 season and his previous high prospect status, Kelenic was viewed as a candidate for a breakout season.{{Cite web |last=Langs |first=Sarah |date=March 13, 2022 |title=Top breakout hitter candidates for 2022 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/breakout-hitter-candidates-2022 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=MLB.com}} Kelenic began the 2022 season with the Mariners. In May 2022, he was optioned to Tacoma after hitting .140/.219/.291 over 30 games.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/jarred-kelenic-optioned-to-triple-a-tacoma | title=Kelenic optioned ahead of series vs. Mets | website=MLB.com }} After being sent down to the minors, in 54 games for Tacoma, Kelenic slashed .288/.363/.540 with an OPS of .903.{{Cite web |last=Samulski |first=Eric |date=August 1, 2022 |title=Former Mets prospect Jarred Kelenic gets third chance with the Mariners |url=https://www.amny.com/news/former-mets-prospect-jared-kelenic-is-back/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=amny.com}} He was then called back up to the majors on July 31, replacing Julio Rodríguez, who had been placed on the injured list after getting hit by a pitch.{{cite web | url=https://theathletic.com/3464907/2022/07/31/mariners-julio-rodriguez-injury/ | title=Julio Rodríguez goes on IL with swollen wrist | last1=Brock | first1=Corey | website=The Athletic }} During his short 10-game stint with the major league squad, he had just two hits in 27 plate appearances before being optioned once again to Tacoma.{{Cite web |last=Gustafson |first=Brandon |date=September 29, 2022 |title=Is Mariners' Jarred Kelenic back for good? 3 MLB insiders weigh in |url=https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1671848/mariners-jarred-kelenic-back-mlb-insiders-weigh-in/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=seattlesports.com}}

Kelenic was once again called up in late September, again hitting well{{clarify-inline|date=December 2023}} within the final month of the regular season as well as during the postseason, the Mariners' first since 2001.{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=October 6, 2022 |title=Mariners' Jerry Dipoto 'so proud' of Jarred Kelenic's breakthrough entering playoffs |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-jerry-dipoto-so-proud-of-jarred-kelenics-breakthrough-heading-into-playoffs/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{Cite web |last=Matheson |first=Keegan |date=October 13, 2022 |title=Jarred Kelenic a key part to Mariners' offense |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jarred-kelenic-a-key-part-to-mariners-offense |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=MLB.com}} At the end of the 2022 season, Kelenic had a career batting average of .168, second to John Vukovich for lowest in history for batters with more than 550 plate appearances.{{cite magazine |last1=Verducci |first1=Tom |title=Mariners' Jarred Kelenic Is Primed for a Turnaround in 2023 |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/02/20/jarred-kelenic-seattle-mariners-swing-adjustments-turnaround |access-date=March 2, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=February 20, 2023}}

During the offseason, Kelenic worked on adjusting his approach at the plate to one that would be more suitable for hitting major-league pitching, especially towards breaking balls, which he greatly struggled hitting while he was in the major leagues.{{Cite web |last=Divish |first=Ryan |date=February 18, 2023 |title=After spending the offseason being a 'sponge,' Jarred Kelenic hopes new swing gets him back on track |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/after-spending-the-offseason-being-a-sponge-jarred-kelenic-hopes-new-swing-gets-him-back-on-track/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{Cite web |last=Rosenthal |first=Ken |date=April 26, 2023 |title='This is it': How Jarred Kelenic adjusted body and mind to live up to the hype |url=https://theathletic.com/4443635/2023/04/26/mariners-mets-jarred-kelenic-adjustments/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |work=The Athletic}} Before the 2023 season, Kelenic was again viewed as a breakout candidate because of his performance after his final call-up, as well as the ban on the infield shift that was introduced in 2023.

In spring training, Kelenic flourished, slashing .353/.389/.706 with four home runs in 54 plate appearances. Kelenic began the season on the Opening Day roster, with the intent of platooning in left field with the newly-acquired A. J. Pollock.{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Daniel |date=March 27, 2023 |title=Mariners' 2023 opening day roster finalized |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-2023-opening-day-roster |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=MLB.com}} Kelenic continued his spring training success into the major league season, hitting well enough to earn starts against left-handed pitchers and became the everyday left fielder.{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=April 14, 2023 |title=Red-hot Jarred Kelenic gets first start for M's against left-handed pitcher |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/red-hot-jarred-kelenic-gets-first-start-for-ms-against-left-handed-pitcher/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times}} On April 12, 2023, Kelenic hit a 482-foot home run that landed in the second tier of the center field bleachers at Wrigley Field, the longest regular-season home run recorded at Wrigley and the longest by a Mariner during the Statcast era (since 2015).{{Cite web |last=Brock |first=Corey |date=April 12, 2023 |title=Jarred Kelenic hits 482-foot home run, longest for Mariners in Statcast era |url=https://theathletic.com/4406257/2023/04/12/jarred-kelenic-home-run-mariners/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |work=The Athletic}}

On July 20, Kelenic broke his foot after kicking a water cooler during a game against the Minnesota Twins.{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2023 |title= Mariners' Jarred Kelenic breaks foot by kicking water cooler|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38042922/mariners-jarred-kelenic-breaks-foot-kicking-water-cooler|access-date=July 20, 2023 |website=ESPN}} He was activated off of the injured list on September 11.{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-reinstate-jarred-kelenic-from-injured-list/|title=Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic returns from 'timeout' — a stint on the IL|date=September 11, 2023|work=The Seattle Times}}

Kelenic finished his 2023 season batting .253/.327/.419, with 11 home runs and 49 runs batted in.

On December 3, 2023, the Mariners traded Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, and Evan White to the Atlanta Braves for Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips.{{Cite web |last1=Jude |first1=Adam |last2=Divish |first2=Ryan |date=December 3, 2023 |title=Mariners trade Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, Evan White to Braves |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-trade-jarred-kelenic-marco-gonzales-evan-white-to-braves/ |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times}} Atlanta initially announced that Kelenic would be their starting left fielder, but after a brutal Spring Training (Kelenic slashed .143/.200/.232), Adam Duvall was acquired to platoon with Kelenic in left. However, after Duvall struggled and injuries plagued the Braves' outfield, Kelenic became the starting everyday center fielder, and took the leadoff spot in the lineup.

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