Two Mariners Youngsters To Compete This Spring For Major-League Role

Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said that Jarred Kelenic and Taylor Trammell will battle this spring for a job as the left fielder against right-handers.

Mariners GM Justin Hollander says Jarred Kelenic’s talent and work ethic are “second to none.”

President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto: “We still believe in Jarred’s talent. He works his tail off.” @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/3wVItlzyAf

— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) February 1, 2023

A.J. Pollock will likely start in left field against left-handed pitchers and also see time at designated hitter.

Of course, the Mariners would love to see Kelenic have a great spring and win the job easily, as he is a former top prospect who has yet to find consistent success at the major league level.

Last season, over 54 games, the twenty-three-year-old slashed .141/.221/.313, with seven home runs, 17 RBIs, five stolen bases and 20 runs scored. Kelenic was great at Triple-A, however, posting a .295/.365/.922 triple-slash line, with 18 home runs, 65 RBIs, nine stolen bases and 58 runs scored over 352 at-bats. 

He's finding plenty of success in the minors, it's just a matter of translating that to the majors now.

Trammell is in a similar boat, as he slashed just .196/.284/.402, with four home runs, 10 RBIs, two stolen bases and 15 runs scored over 43 games in the majors last season. However, in the minors, the twenty-five-year-old posted a strong .333/.408/.983 triple-slash line, with five home runs, 12 RBIs, eight stolen bases and 18 runs scored over 87 at-bats.

Both Kelenic and Trammell have an option year remaining, so the loser of will likely be sent down.
Photo Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports