Athletics Could Explore Former First-Round Pick Jarred Kelenic to Address Outfield Injuries
The Athletics have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, creating holes throughout the roster—particularly in the corner outfield and pitching staff. While starting pitching remains a priority, the club may also need to look outside the organization for offensive help.
After placing Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom on the 10-day injured list Monday, the Athletics lost two key contributors from their lineup. Although the team promoted a pair of infielders to help fill the roster, Soderstrom’s absence leaves the outfield short on depth.
Jarred Kelenic Could Be a Low-Risk Option
One player who could make sense for Oakland is former first-round pick Jarred Kelenic, who was recently designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers.
Kelenic is now available to be claimed or acquired via trade before he clears waivers, giving teams a limited window to take a chance on the 26-year-old outfielder.
The Athletics’ current outfield features Lawrence Butler, Henry Bolte, and Colby Thomas, but the group has noticeable platoon limitations. Thomas has been most effective against left-handed pitching, while Butler has found the majority of his success against right-handers, making lineup construction more challenging on a daily basis.
Adding Kelenic would provide another left-handed bat with experience and upside, even if his recent production has been inconsistent.
Looking for a Fresh Start
Kelenic opened the season with the Chicago White Sox, batting .226 across 59 plate appearances before moving to the Rangers. His brief stint in Texas consisted of just 10 plate appearances, during which he collected one hit and finished with a .125 batting average.
While the numbers have been underwhelming, the sample size in Texas was too small to draw meaningful conclusions.
Once considered one of baseball’s top prospects, Kelenic still possesses the athletic ability that made him the sixth overall pick in the MLB Draft. A change of scenery could offer another opportunity for him to rediscover his potential.
What Happens When Everyone Returns?
The Athletics’ outfield picture will become more complicated once Tyler Soderstrom and Denzel Clarke return from the injured list.
Henry Bolte has impressed during his time in center field, making it difficult to envision him losing regular playing time. Meanwhile, Carlos Cortes has struggled offensively and could emerge as a trade candidate if the Athletics become sellers later this season.
If Kelenic performs well during an opportunity with Oakland, the club could face decisions about how to balance its outfield depth once everyone is healthy.
On the other hand, if he fails to produce, the Athletics could simply move on when Soderstrom returns. Given the team’s current injury situation and Kelenic’s untapped upside, he represents a relatively low-risk option worth considering as Oakland searches for short-term reinforcements.
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