Can the Seattle Mariners win 3 consecutive Rookie of the Year Awards?

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners watches his two-run home run. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners watches his two-run home run. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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Jarred Kelenic of the Seattle Mariners runs in during the Futures game.
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 07: Jarred Kelenic of the Seattle Mariners, looks on during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Jarred Kelenic is my Seattle Mariners front runner for winning AL Rookie of the Year in 2021

When you are the 9th ranked MLB prospect, there are certain expectations and I will hold Jarred Kelenic to it as well. Kelenic came to the Mariners organization when the Mariners traded Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to the New York Mets. At the time, it seemed like a major loss but it was necessary, and we hope the trade pays its dividends when Kelenic enters the MLB.

Kelenic was tearing it up while in Tacoma with the taxi squad, and many fans wanted to see him make his debut in 2020. I get their excitement to see Kelenic in 2020, but there is no need to rush him. We might as well give him a full season in 2021 where he can mentally prepare for it. That being said, Kelenic is supposedly on route to being in the lineup every day in 2021. Obviously, we do not know until next year, but that is my guess.

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Kelenic spent 21 games in Double-A and because minor league seasons were canceled in 2020, he did miss some quality time at Double-A and potentially Triple-A. But he did participate in practices and intrasquad at Cheney Stadium, but like many other prospects around the league, Kelenic missed out on some crucial games this season. It is not unordinary for players to jump from Double-A to the big leagues, take Evan White for example, but it definitely is a tough adjustment.

The good thing is that Kelenic has been able to adjust and learn really quickly. Remember, Kelenic did not play college baseball and went straight from high school to the minor league system and immediately succeeded in pro-ball. He boasts a .290 batting average, 29 home runs, 110 RBIs, and 35 stolen bases in 173 minor league games.

I have confidence that Kelenic will succeed in 2021 even with the stiff competition for next season. Kelenic and other Mariners rookies could be competing against Royce Lewis, Casey Mize, Forrest Whitley, and others for AL ROY. Outside of Kelenic, I think there are a couple more under the radar ROY candidates for 2021 out of Seattle.