The downward slide continues for former top MLB prospect Jarred Kelenic.
Kelenic, who signed a minor league deal with the White Sox in December, was informed by the team on Friday that he would not be a part of the Opening Day roster, according to multiple reports.
The 26-year-old will remain in big league camp until Spring Training concludes, but will not be a part of the team’s 26-man roster.
This decision from the White Sox comes after the outfielder posted an abysmal Spring Training slash line of .179/.273/.359, which included striking out 12 times in 39 at-bats in 14 games.
Kelenic, who was selected by the Mets with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, was widely considered one of the league’s top talents during his early days in the minor leagues.
After spending less than one full season in the Mets’ organization, Kelenic was a part of the blockbuster trade for the Mets to acquire star closer Edwin Diaz and veteran second baseman Robinson Cano from the Mariners during the 2018 offseason.
Since being called up to the big leagues during the 2021 season, Kelenic has massively underperformed expectations, batting just .211 through 407 games across parts of five seasons.
Kelenic was with the Braves last season, hitting .167 and striking out 23 times in 60 at-bats.
In April 2025, he was shaded by Braves teammate Ronald Acuna Jr. for his lack of hustle during a game.
Kelenic jogged around first base and was thrown out at second after hitting a ball to the wall.
“If it were me, they would take me out of the game,” Acuna wrote in a since-deleted post on X.
