The Texas Rangers designated outfielder Jarred Kelenic for assignment on Sunday, clearing a roster spot for catcher Logan O’Hoppe, who was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock.
O’Hoppe, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline, is expected to make his Rangers debut as the designated hitter.
Kelenic, a former first-round pick selected sixth overall by the New York Mets in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Waukesha West High School in Wisconsin, has endured a turbulent path since entering professional baseball.
Traded to the Seattle Mariners later that year as part of the package for Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz, he arrived with significant hype as one of baseball’s top prospects. He made his major league debut with Seattle in 2021 and showed flashes of potential, particularly in 2023 when he posted a .253 average with solid power.
However, consistent big-league success has eluded him. After a trade to the Atlanta Braves following the 2023 season, his production declined.
In 2026, Kelenic began the year on a minor-league deal with the Chicago White Sox, appearing in 19 games before being designated for assignment in late May and electing free agency. He then signed successive minor league contracts with the Rangers, earning brief call-ups in June and again in mid-August.
In his limited time with Texas this season, spanning roughly 24 plate appearances across multiple stints, Kelenic struggled at the plate, posting a .200/.333/.200 slash line with a high strikeout rate near 46 percent. That performance translated to a 67 wRC+, marking him as significantly below average.
Overall this year between the White Sox and Rangers, his major league numbers sat around a .219 average with minimal power.
The contrast with his Triple-A production remains striking. Kelenic has continued to hit well at Round Rock, posting strong averages and power numbers that once again highlight the familiar “Quad-A” label that has followed him.
At 27 years old with experience across all three outfield positions and a career total of 50 major league home runs, he retains tools that could appeal to another organization seeking depth.
The Rangers now have seven days to trade, release, or outright Kelenic to the minors. Given his prior outright assignments and service time, he may elect free agency if he clears waivers.
For a player once projected as a cornerstone, this latest designation underscores the ongoing challenge of translating minor league promise into sustained major league results.
Whether another club takes a chance remains to be seen, but Kelenic’s pedigree ensures he will not lack for opportunities to keep chasing that breakthrough.
