It's pretty rare that the state of Wisconsin produces a first-round draft pick in Major League Baseball, but that's expected to change in the MLB Draft in June with Waukesha's Jarred Kelenic.
Kelenic is projected high on the draft board even though he never played a lick of high school baseball at Waukesha West.
"We looked at it at talent-wise and I wanted to be pushed," Kelenic said. "Unfortunately, high school baseball wasn't going to be the best option out there. Travel baseball hitters like Sticks going the Hitters route was
going to push me the hardest and give the college exposure."
Kelenic joined the Rawlings Hitters traveling squad in the summer and the Chicago Scouts in the fall. These games
showcase the best talent in the country and they host the most college and pro scouts.
"He's a grinder," Kelenic's father, Tom, says. "Obviously, everyone says his hit tool in the best, but he's always up for a challange, no matter if it's the local level, the Midwest, or even in the country, he's looking try to beat the best if he's not the best."
Kelenic got his chance to play with the best when he was selected to the prestigious Under 18 Team USA, which won the gold medal.
"Playing with Team USA across your chest is truly something different," Kelenic says. "It was a huge stepping stone for me playing every single day against the best players in the world, it a huge stepping stone for me."
Kelenic has had every team in the league to his home multiple times. The New York Yankees sent five scouts one day.
So, what teams are most interested in grabbing Kelenic?
"I would say the Mets, the San Diego Padres. He's played with the Chicago White Sox youth organization the past few years," Tom Kelenic says. "All of sudden a team pops up that you haven't talked to and boom, they pick you."
But Jarred is just trying to stay focused.
"I'm not trying to think about it too much, but at the same time, everything happens for a reason. Whatever team
ends up picking me I know it's gonna be a great fit and I'll look forward to playing every day," he says.
The MLB Draft will be held in June.
