The Chicago White Sox's Jarred Kelenic is on a mission to secure a roster spot, and his recent performance in Cactus League games has been nothing short of impressive. Kelenic, a nonroster invitee, is embracing a unique mindset that sets him apart from his peers. While results can provide confidence, Kelenic is more focused on the process, understanding that every at-bat is a learning opportunity.
"I really try to stay away from the results," he said. "Results give confidence to anybody, that's kind of a given. But I've hit a lot of balls hard in play that have been outs. I take those just as much as I take the balls hit in the gap."
This approach has paid dividends, as Kelenic's swing has been more confident and effective. He's getting to pitches he usually does and feeling more in control. The results speak for themselves: Kelenic has been hitting balls out of the park, with two home runs in eight Cactus League games, and his overall performance has been solid.
"The things we highlighted with him with his athleticism, his defensive ability, the pop and what he can do at the plate — it’s all showing up now," said manager Will Venable. "It’s really about the way he’s gone about his business and staying online and staying focused on the things that matter and that he can control."
Kelenic's journey to the White Sox has been an interesting one. He was a first-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 2018 and has played for the Seattle Mariners and Atlanta Braves. His time with the Braves was particularly challenging, spending most of 2025 at Triple-A Gwinnett. However, Kelenic has used these ups and downs as learning opportunities, focusing on his strengths and superpowers.
"That has ultimately made me into who I am today, just from an approach standpoint, from the outlook of my own self," he said. "I can’t just generalize it into one thing, but just trying to take those times that weren’t so great and turn them into a learning opportunity, because that’s the only way you’re going to get better."
Kelenic is now competing in an outfield mix that includes established players like Andrew Benintendi, Austin Hays, and Luisangel Acuña. The White Sox are in a good spot, with multiple talented players vying for spots, and Kelenic's performance will be a key factor in their decision-making process.
"He keeps doing what he’s doing, it’s going to make us have some tough decisions here," Venable said. "That’s what we want. We’ve given these guys transparency that there is a path for a lot of these guys. They’re going to make it hard for us, and that’s what we want."
As the Cactus League season progresses, Kelenic's journey will be one to watch. His unique approach and determination to stick to his strengths will be crucial in his quest for a roster spot, and the White Sox organization is taking notice.
