Well, that didn’t take long. After a brief but sensational stint in the minor leagues, Jarred Kelenic is expected to make his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners this week, which will have a significant fallout on the fantasy baseball and sports betting landscape.
Jarred Kelenic To Debut For Mariners: Fantasy Baseball & Betting Tips
What To Expect From Jarred Kelenic
Kelenic, who entered the season ranked as the No. 4 prospect overall by Baseball America, is set to join the Mariners on Thursday, when Seattle will kick off a four-game series against the Cleveland Indians at T-Mobile Park.
Kelenic’s sprint through the minors showcased his superstar ability. The 21-year-old center fielder, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, had already ripped nine hits in his first five games with Triple-A Tacoma this year, including two home runs. He was merely picking up where he left off in 2019, when he batted .291/.364/.540 with 23 homers and 20 stolen bases in 117 minor-league games.
Jarred Kelenic Fantasy Baseball Tip
With the Mariners struggling to get offensive production from their outfielders, Kelenic will likely get the chance to play regularly and make an immediate impact. This is good news for his fantasy baseball players who have him on their roster. They have been eagerly awaiting his arrival after stashing him on the bench for the first month of the season.
With Thursday being Seattle’s 38th game of the year, Kelenic will still have three quarters of the season to compile stats and be a difference-maker in fantasy baseball leagues.
In terms of what to expect from Kelenic, he should get around 400-450 at-bats if he stays healthy and isn’t sent back down. With his well-rounded skill set, he’ll likely provide double-digit homers and steals while hitting for a solid batting average, making him a worthy starter in most fantasy formats.
Jarred Kelenic 2021 AL Rookie Of The Year Bet Tip
Kelenic will also start building his case for the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year Award. Already a preseason betting pick by The Game Day, Kelenic remains a strong candidate to win the award, as his odds were +650 at BetMGM in April. Those odds will likely shift once he arrives in the bigs, but he’s still worth the investment based on his impressive track record in the minors.
Betting odds and lines courtesy of BetMGM. BetMGM has a welcome offer for a Second-Chance Bet of up to $600. Use promo code THEGAMEDAY or click here to sign up for a new account.
