Jarred

Kelenic

Kelenic was cut by the Rangers last week after hitting .226/.305/.321 and striking out 20 times in 59 plate appearances. That’s obviously not very impressive, but it’s interesting that he did have eight barrels and a 55 percent hard-hit rate. Statcast gave him an xSLG of .526. He’ll head to Triple-A for now, but he could see time in the Texas outfield later.

Kelenic will test the free agent waters instead of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Charlotte. The 26-year-old former top prospect passed through waivers unclaimed after being jettisoned from Chicago’s roster earlier this week. He hit an underwhelming .226/.305/.321 with one homer and four RBI in 59 plate appearances during a 19-game stint with the White Sox this season.

Kelenic is not all that long removed from being considered among the top prospects in baseball, but to say it hasn’t worked out — with the exception of about half a season with Seattle — is an understatement. The 26-year-old will hit the waiver wire, and if he goes unclaimed, he can report back to Triple-A Charlotte or test free agency.

Kelenic is back in right field and hitting seventh after being scratched from Friday’s lineup with a lower back contusion. The 26-year-old former top prospect is hitting a pedestrian .224/.309/.306 with one homer and four RBI in 55 plate appearances over 17 games for the White Sox this season.

Kelenic attempted to give it a go but ultimately was a late scratch as his back was still bothering him a bit before the game started. He’s considered day-to-day and should return to action before the weekend is through.

Hays has gone 2-for-10 in his first three games at Triple-A, but both hits have been home runs. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since May 4th with a calf strain after also missing significant time with a hamstring strain. With Sam Antonacci playing well in left field, the White Sox will have a tough choice to make when Hays is ready to return. Likely one of Tristan Peters or Jarred Kelenic will head back to the minors, or the White Sox will choose to designate Randal Grichuk for assignment.

Kelenic, once one of the most exciting prospects in baseball, will head back to the big leagues after having just 65 MLB plate appearances last season. The 26-year-old has not gotten off to a great start in Triple-A, slashing .202/.346/.464 with six home runs and seven steals in 104 plate appearances. The steals and home runs are nice, but he’s sporting a nearly 29 percent strikeout rate and 74 percent contact rate that could get exposed at the big league level. With a lefty on the mound on Wednesday, it will be Derek Hill starting in right field, not Kelenic.

Catcher Drew Romo received the same news. For the time being, both players will remain in big league camp, though it’s possible they could eventually be cut loose if they would like to explore other opportunities. Kelenic, 26, has struggled at the dish this spring, hitting .179 (7-for-39) with a pair of homers, five RBI and two stolen bases.

Kelenic took Royals southpaw Noah Cameron deep with a drive that just stayed inside the right-field foul pole in the opening frame. It was his second big fly of the spring. The 26-year-old former top prospect’s star has faded considerably over the past few years but his pedigree ensures that he’ll continue to get chances. He’ll likely wind up at Triple-A Charlotte to open the season but he remains in the mix for a spot on Chicago’s bench as a reserve outfielder.

The 26-year-old former top prospect squared up a 1-2 sinker from Joe Ross in the fourth inning and blasted a 419-foot (111.3 mph EV) three-run shot that increased the White Sox’ edge to 6-0. That would be the extent of the scoring in the contest. Kelenic finished the day 1-for-3 and is now hitting ,200 (4-for-20) with a homer, four RBI, two stolen bases and a 7/1 K/BB ratio on the spring.