Mariners' Jarred Kelenic is Off to a Fantastic 2023 Spring Training

Seattle Mariners left fielder Jarred Kelenic hit his third home run of the spring Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park. Kelenic is off to a great start in the Cactus League, slashing .364/.364/1.182 in his first four games.

Seattle Mariners left fielder Jarred Kelenic's 2023 is off to a great start.

The 23-year-old is seeing the ball well at spring training. Wednesday afternoon, he hit his third home run of the spring, in just his 11th at bat.

Kelenic crushed a solo shot off Chicago Cubs pitcher Roenis Elias at Sloan Park in the top of the fifth inning, just moments after Mariners lead off hitter took Julio Rodriguez went deep to left off Elias. The Mariners' no. 1 and no. 2 hitters in their lineup Wednesday hit back-to-back home runs, trimming the Cubs' 5-0 lead to 5-2.

Kelenic made his Major League debut in 2021, when he was MLB Pipeline's no. 4 prospect in all of baseball. Since receiving his Major League promotion, Kelenic has struggled. In 2021, he slashed .181/.265/.615 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI in 93 games. In 2022, Kelenic posted an even lower slash line, batting .141 with a .221 On Base Percentage and .534 OPS, while hitting seven home runs and collecting 17 RBI.

Kelenic, still 23, will split time in left field this season with AJ Pollock, if Kelenic is unable to play up to his potential. Meanwhile, Rodriguez will play center field and Teoscar Hernandez should be the Mariners' regular right fielder. Kelenic is showing no indication thus far, however, that he should be a platoon player. Kelenic is off to a great start in the Cactus League, slashing .364/.364/1.182 in his first four games.

If Kelenic has a breakout season in 2023, it would give the Mariners a significant boost, in their quest to overthrow the Houston Astros at the top of the division. The Astros have won the American League West five times over the last six years, and have appeared in six straight American League Championship Series.

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