Jarred Kelenic might once again force the Rangers hand and create MLB roster crunch

Have you heard this story before? Jarred Kelenic is hitting the ball so well that it is going to be hard to keep him off the major league roster. In his second trip through Triple-A Round Rock, the former first-rounder for the Mets is absolutely shredding minor league pitching and putting up video game-type numbers.

The organization is no doubt aware of what Kelenic is doing, and has to be pondering giving him another chance in the show. The problem is: what would the corresponding move be, and if you don't have anyone going to the IL, you would have to send someone on the roster down to make room.

The Rangers DFA'd Kelenic on June 29, but loved the energy the 26-year-old brought during his brief stint and brought him back on July 4 after clearing waivers and electing free agency when he was outrighted off the 40-man roster.

Jarred Kelenic is picking up right where he left off in Round Rock after returning to the Rangers

When Kelenic was called up in June, he wasn't given much of an opportunity to show what he could do at the plate, going 1-8. He is mostly remembered for making several outstanding plays in high-leverage moments in left field. He also scored a thrilling run from second base on a wild pitch against the Blue Jays that gave the Rangers a 3-2 victory.

Since July 3, Kelenic is hitting .364/.462/.606 with a homer. His overall slash with Round Rock is an insane .349/.443/.614. That comes to an OPS of 1.027 over 98 plate appearances. That is a pretty decent sample size to be putting up ridiculous numbers like that, and it surely cannot be ignored. Last Wednesday, July 8, Kelenic went 4-5 and was a triple short of the cycle while belting his 4th homer.

The only problem is who the Rangers would send down in the corresponding transaction. The top candidate is likely recent call-up Cameron Cauley, who has shown flashes at second base and in center field, but could fall victim to the "last man in, first man out" pitfall.

The feisty fan-favorite Alejandro Osuna, who hit his first dinger of the season in the July 7 8-3 win over the Angels, is another option. That would be a hard sell with the fanbase that loves his hustle and willingness to make every at-bat count.

Justin Foscue is short on options and is simply battering left-handers right now. It is unlikely he would be sent down. Besides, making a move here would leave Texas short an infielder and over an outfielder.

Nevertheless, it's a good problem to have and something the club is not used to in 2026, with a guy performing so well in the minors that you have to explain why he isn't on the 26-man big club.

Chris Young and Skip Schumaker also know that if they call him up a second time within a month, they would have to give him regular at-bats to see if he can transition to major league pitching. They would more-or-less owe it to both Kelenic and whoever's roster spot he takes to let him parlay the opportunity into more at-bats. That may not be something Schumaker wants to commit to right now, knowing how much he loves Osuna's emotion and wanting to give a top prospect like Cauley a chance.

The best route may be to wait until there is another IL stint, because it is realistically just a matter of time, so that a roster spot opens up without having to designate players that management and the fanbase really appreciate.

Whatever the case, what Kelenic is doing at Round Rock is forcing the Rangers hand, and we will see if the club strikes while the bat is sizzling hot, or wait for a spot to open up.

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