Jarred Kelenic 2021 Player Outlook: On the Verge of Fantasy Stardom
4 years agoSeattle Mariners outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic is set to break out as a fantasy star — all he needs now is playing time. After slugging .468 in 2018 between the Gulf Coast and Appalachian Leagues, the former No. 6 overall pick slugged .540 with 23 home runs and 20 steals in 117 games while making the jump from Single-A to Double-A in 2019. What bodes well for his future success is putting up those numbers while recording a not-terrible 21.4 percent strikeout rate and a solid 10.1 percent walk rate over his two seasons in the minors. Kelenic will be entering his age 21 season this year, and will start 2021 back in the minors. He had a shot to crack the Opening Day roster but suffered a Grade 2 strain of the adductor muscle in his left knee back on March 5. He's already back to playing in Cactus League games but the injury delay put him behind schedule and his ADP, currently at 212, has slipped a bit as a result. The Mariners have a logjam in the outfield with Mitch Haniger, Kyle Lewis, and a combination of Taylor Trammell and Jake Fraley jockeying for playing time, which doesn't leave much room for Kelenic. He could get called up as early as late-April, though, which makes him an intriguing draft selection, particularly in deeper re-draft and keeper leagues. He could still make a big impact this year in fantasy but that largely depends on when he gets called up. If he goes un-drafted in your league, he is an absolute must add whenever he gets the call.