Photo Credit: Tracy Proffitt of MiLB.com
The New York Mets selected outfielder Jarred Kelenic with their first round pick in June and the early returns have been impressive for the 19-year-old.
Kelenic was viewed as the top prep bat when the Mets took him with the sixth overall pick from Waukesha, Wisconsin.
The left-handed hitter and thrower got his career off to a fantastic start in the Gulf Coast League when he slashed .413/.451/.609 in 12 games. Kelenic received a a promotion to the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League.
His first 20 games for Kingsport didn’t go as expected with a .610 OPS and 21 strikeouts.
August was a completely different story for the recently turned 19-year-old, he hit .321/.368/.509 with seven doubles, two triples, three homers, 22 RBI and five stolen bases.
Overall, the athletic center fielder hit .286/.371/.468 with 10 doubles, six triples, six homers while walking 10.4% of the time and striking out 19.9%. He has a rocket for an arm which is backed up by the nine outfield assists he had in only 52 games.
Another Mets 2018 high pick finished his first pro season strong with Kingsport, second rounder right-hander Simeon Woods-Richardson.
Woods-Richardson, SWR for short, didn’t allow an earned run until his final appearance of the season on Tuesday. Overall, the hard throwing 17-year-old finished with a 1.56 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and struck out 26 batters compared to only four walks in 17.1 innings.
The Kingsport Mets begin their playoff series tonight at home with right-hander Willy Taveras on the mound against Elizabethton.
