Prep Baseball Report

Top 10 Stories Of 2017: No. 1 The Year of Jarred Kelenic


Matt Huck
Midwest Area Scout/JUCO Wire Editor

Over the next few weeks we will close out 2017 by counting down the Top 10 stories and profiles of the calendar year. Our top ten stories will take a look at some of the highlights at Prep Baseball Report through the lens of the Badger State, including title runs, top prospects, newsworthy milestones and more. 


The No. 1 Story of 2017 in Wisconsin is the Year of Jarred Kelenic.

Kelenic has long been known on the National Circuit as one of the top players in the country, he has been the No.1 ranked player in Wisconsin since the original Class of 2018 rankings debuted in  and 2017 was no different for him. He started the year as the only underclassmen to attend the 2017 Super 60 where he showed off his high end tools amongst draft prospects a class older than him. Here is a report on him from the event.

2017 Super 60 - Louisville recruit. 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, advanced strength for age, rock-solid muscle with a defined lower half and proportional strength throughout. Currently ranked No. 1 in 2018 overall rankings, and only solidified his status with his stellar performance at the Super 60. As the only junior at the event, he was unequivocally the top prospect in attendance. A true five-tool prospect. Offensively, Kelenic has a balanced, compact swing with simple explosive strength, along with advanced rhythm and timing. His barrel awareness and presence in the box far exceeds his years. He shows power to all fields as he recorded a 102 exit velocity with wood. Defensively, he has plus arm strength and true carry on his throws. He was clocked at 91 mph from the outfield, with all of his throws seemingly accelerating as the ball neared the catcher. He kicked off his day by running a 6.61 laser-timed 60, fourth fastest at the event. And he did it all of the above with a substantial cut on his finger of his throwing hand.


Kelenic, who has never played a WIAA game, plays in the Hitters Spring League and again showed off his high level skills each weekend. Here is a report on Kelenic from the Hitters Spring League weekend against STiKS and Iowa Select.

4/23/17 -No. 1 ranked 2018. 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitting outfielder. Stands out on the field both physically and with play. Advanced strength and athleticism. Professional approach at the plate. Drives pitches to all fields, showed off plus power to the pull side with a towering home run in game. Consistently finds the barrel, sounds different coming off his bat. Defensively positions himself in the outfield, takes good routes, and shows off a plus arm. Got on the mound worked 88-91 mph with his fastball with heavy sinking action.

Next up for Kelenic was the Summer circuit where he made the rounds at TOS, Under Armour All-American Game, Area Codes, and Team USA 18U.

Kelenic had a standout performance at the Under Armour All-American Game and workout, here is a report on him from the event.

+ OF Jarred Kelenic (Waukesha West HS, WI), who’s the No. 1-ranked prospect in the Prep Baseball Report coverage area, did not disappoint. The muscular 6-foot-1, 195-pound Louisville recruit took arguably the most professional rounds of BP, working all fields with simple power. The left-handed hitting Kelenic has a highly advanced approach in his quiet, compact swing. He generates plus bat speed and is extremely strong through contact. Defensively, Kelenic may feature the best pure outfield arm in the class, and he’s a 6.6 runner.

Kelenic capped off his fall by winning his second Gold Medal with Team USA 18U National Team in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

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