Yankees Sign Former Top Five Prospect

The New York Yankees have signed Jarred Kelenic, a former top prospect to a minor league deal, according to MLB's transaction log. Drafted by the New York Mets with the sixth overall pick in 2018, Kelenic was once considered a future star. The Mets traded him to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. Kelenic made significant strides as a prospect, becoming the No. 4 overall prospect in baseball in 2021.

He made his debut for the Mariners and played in 93 games, batting .181. His second season saw little improvement, with a .141 average in 54 games. However, 2023 was a brighter year for Kelenic, as he posted a .253 average with a .746 OPS, hitting 11 home runs and amassing 38 extra-base hits. Despite his improvement, the Mariners traded him in a deal that sent Cole Phillips and Jackson Kowar to the Atlanta Braves.

Kelenic struggled with the Braves, posting a .220 average in 155 games. He has since played for the Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and has spent time in Triple-A, where he has batted .316 with a .996 OPS. The Yankees assigned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base in his debut.

This move gives the Yankees added outfield depth with minimal risk, as Kelenic was once viewed as a highly talented player with a high ceiling.