Jarred Kelenic was paying off big for the Rangers in unexpected ways, but it wasn't enough

When Jarred Kelenic was called up from Triple-A Round Rock, it was because he was mashing and the Rangers needed an offensive boost. But since arriving in Arlington, Kelenic hadn't had much of an opportunity to do much at the dish, so Skip Schumaker is finding other ways to get him involved.

As a positional player, baseball boils down to three things: hitting, defense, and baserunning. The former first-round pick of the New York Mets had found hits tough to come by, so he was delivering in the defensive and baserunning aspects to contribute to the team's recent success.

That was a funny development. Kelenic had never been known for his baserunning and defense, even when he was a top prospect. That's exactly what he was delivering, but Wyatt Langford's injury left a true void for right-handed hitting outfielders in the mix, resulting in the Rangers DFA'ing Kelenic during a flurry of roster moves on Monday.

Jarred Kelenic was doing the little things, but he still got caught in the Rangers' roster crunch

Kelenic was only 1-for-8 (.125) in his seven games with the Rangers, but he didn't let his lack of production and chances with the bat affect how he is playing left field and running the bases.

Though Kelenic has never been considered an excellent outfielder or baserunner, he is getting it done for the Rangers.

The fleet-footed left fielder has made a handful of spectacular catches since getting called up. Twice, Kelenic has made diving grabs at big spots in the game. Plus, his speed on the basepaths led directly to a clutch win against the Blue Jays on Sunday to sweep the four-game set in Canada.

With the game tied at 2 in the top of the ninth inning Sunday, Kelenic pinch-ran for Josh Jung, who had just hit an opposite-field double against one of the Blue Jays' best relievers, Louis Varland. When Varland delivered a wild pitch against Corey Seager, and the ball eluded catcher Alejandro Kirk for several seconds, Kelenic saw the opportunity, sped around third, and slid in headfirst as the go-ahead and game-winning run.

It was a thrilling play that helped ensure an unlikely sweep and got the Rangers back to .500, regaining first place in the AL West, while also leapfrogging Toronto in the playoff hunt.

With Wyatt Langford out until after the All-Star break with a tight hamstring, Kelenic found himself as the low man in the pecking order, and with Alejandro Osuna being a higher priority as a left-hand-hitting outfielder, there was no room left for Kelenic.

The Rangers also needed a right-handed presence there and a possible platoon partner for Evan Carter in center. Kelenic couldn't provide either of those things, but the recently called-up Cameron Cauley can, while also providing even better baserunning and defense as well as greater positional versatility.

It's unfortunate that Kelenic never got the opportunity to get going at the plate while he played great defense and showed plus baserunning ability, but those are the breaks when you're a journeyman busted former top prospect.

The Rangers need guys who will scrap and claw for every chance they get to be in the lineup, and for a brief flash, it seemed like Kelenic was one who could join those ranks alongside Nicky Lopez and Elias Diaz, but alas, he couldn't find his footing quickly enough to prove he was worth a longer look.

Lastly, by cutting Kelenic the Rangers have opened up another spot on the 40-man roster. So while it's time to say goodbye to the well traveled former top draft pick, it's also time to stay tuned for whatever else Chris Young has up his sleeve.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow