During this offseason, the Seattle Mariners made a pivotal trade in the initial stages of its well-publicized roster turnover. Out went fan favorites Edwin Díaz and Robinson Canó, in came pitching prospect Justin Dunn, OF/1B/team dad Jay Bruce, relievers Anthony Swarzak and Gerson Bautista, and a burgeoning 19-year-old from Waukesha, Wisconsin.
His name? Jarred Kelenic. His game? Absolutely annihilating every pitcher in the South Atlantic League, where he got off to a historically-hot start. Today, Kelenic is hitting .314/.404/.550 with a 178 wRC+ and 11.8 BB%.
It’s important to remember a few things here.