Neither Jarred Kelenic nor Julio Rodríguez have ever played this many games in a season. Each began their 2019 campaigns in Charleston, West Virginia with the Low-A affiliate of the Mariners, their paths diverging as the season progressed but ultimately intersecting again in the Arizona Fall League.
It’s a tall task for two young players to continue on another six weeks against the advanced competition the prospect-laden AFL presents. That’s especially true as neither had yet to play a full professional season before 2019 — Kelenic, before his offseason trade to the Mariners, being drafted sixth overall out of high school by the Mets last June and Rodríguez heading north after earning MVP honors for his 59 games last year in Dominican Summer League.