June 13th, 2017 at 6:00 am 
by Harold Uhlman The Dodgers were spectators in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft during the first 22 selections in the draft. On the one hand, it must have been a bit nerve-racking to see the supposed cream of the crop in the draft being picked off by other MLB teams. On the other hand, going into the draft the Dodgers had done their homework and had come up with a number of possible choices for their 23rd selection. There was no point to being disappointed in what had happened before they got a chance to have their pick announced. There was every reason to believe that they could acquire an arm or a bat that may well be the equivalent of a top 10 pick.
Just prior to the draft, the speculation was that the Dodgers might be targeting a third baseman or a left-handed pitcher. According to The Dodgers Director of Amateur Scouting, Billy Gasparino, the goal is always to select the best player available, high school or collegiate. That indeed plays havoc with speculation.
I certainly waited anxiously as player after player was picked off by teams drafting just before the Dodgers. However, with the Dodgers just three picks away, pitchers Griffin Canning, Tanner Houck and Alex Lange were still available as was shortstop Logan Warmoth, second baseman Keston Huira and outfielder Bubba Thompson. It was thought that Huira, possibly in need of TJ surgery, could be this year’s version of Walker Buehler for the Dodgers.
I certainly thought the Blue Jays, drafting immediately before the Dodgers, would select right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning. So much for the speculation as the Jays selected shortstop Logan Warmoth.
At 7:29 pm PT, Commissioner Manfred announced the Dodgers had selected outfielder Jeren Kendall, a junior out of Vanderbilt University. That would be the Walker Buehler connection previously mentioned. Buehler was selected by the Dodgers out of Vanderbilt in the 2015 June Draft. Dodger fans will remember he had Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted. Like Buehler, teams shied away from Kendall who earlier in the year was considered to be a very early first round pick.
Jeren Kendall
(Photo courtesy of La Crosse Tribune)
Kendall’s fall down the draft charts has been based primarily as a result of his strikeout rate during the 2017 college season. So why would the Dodgers delight in the selection when others passed him over?
First, the Dodgers are not afraid to take a chance while other teams might be looking for guarantees. There are no guarantees in this game. Also in retrospect, there was just too much to make this an easy selection for the Dodgers. Jeren Kendall is not a finished product at this stage of his career. One would guess that through their development program, the Dodgers truly believe they can help him with pitch recognition and plate discipline.
The 6’0”/180-lb native of Holmen, Wisconsin had previously been selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 30th round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft but had committed to Vanderbilt and kept his commitment to the Commodores.
In three years with Vanderbilt he hit a combined .309 with an OBP of .386 along with 32 home runs, 152 runs batted in and 67 stolen bases.
During his 2017 season he hit .307 with an OBP of .372 along with 15 home runs, 53 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases in 24 attempts.
Secondly, Billy Gasparino considered him to be the best player available when the Dodgers turn to select came around.
“We’re super excited to be able to select Jeren,” said Dodger Director, Amateur Scouting Billy Gasparino. “He is a multi-tooled player that can do a lot of things with both sides of the ball. He is coming from a great program and great makeup, we would love to have him as part of this organization and we are excited to be able to select him.”
Thirdly, Jeren Kendall comes highly recommended. This from John Sickels of Minor League Ball:
“Although the bat is not a sure thing, Kendall is an excellent prospect overall and few college players can offer his broad combination of tools and skills. He’s thrived for a top program and there’s no question he will go in the first round, very likely in the top five. I think the bat is a bit too raw for him to go first-overall, but it would not be a surprise to see him go second.
Kendall is the premier athlete available from the college side of this year’s draft. He is gifted with Roadrunner speed—3.93 seconds from home to first on a full swing. Kendall is also a talented defensive fly chaser and boasts an excellent arm.”
In March Kendall was named National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball after posting a .333 average (6-for-18), three homers and eight RBI over a five-game run.
On June 8 teammate Kyle Wright and Jeren Kendall received major national honors when both were named to the Baseball America 2017 All-American team. Wright was named to the second team while Kendall was recognized among the third team.
Kendall has also been strong in the outfield as he had a .994 fielding percentage in 2017 with 152 out, five assists and just one error on the season.
As MLB Pipeline notes, “A fast-twitch athlete with five-tool potential, Kendall stands out most with his plus-plus speed and also possesses deceptive strength.” Translation, the left-handed hitting junior can fly and has raw power.
“He is also a top-flight defensive outfielder with a power arm, capable of locking down center field with aplomb. The name most associated with Kendall in player comps, actually, is Jacoby Ellsbury.”
His college coach appreciated another side of Kendall that is all important in the Dodgers development scheme.
“I just love him,” Vandy coach Tim Corbin said. “I think he’s a wonderful kid. Personality is plus. He’s very easy to be with. Low, low maintenance. He’s comfortable with people. He’s comfortable with himself … I just wish he was here longer.”
Jeren Kendall’s father is his biggest fan and Jeren credits his dad with much of his success. Jeremey Kendall was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 26th round of the 1992 First-Year Player Draft and played in the Phillies organization for five seasons.
It is expected Kendall will sign quickly, most likely with Dodger area scout Marty Lamb who scouted him, and report to the Arizona League Dodgers following his physical.
Did I mention the Dodgers could find a top 10 prospect with their 23rd selection?
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Given he’s an advanced college guy, I would guess that he starts out in Ogden. I read some reports that he might be a little tougher sign given that he fell to late in the 1st round and the Dodgers might have to go a little over slot which lines up with how they used their 2nd pick on Morgan Cooper who should be a really easy sign and can probably get done with a little under slot. Consensus is that they will balance each other out money wise. I love the pick and stoked that Kendall made it all the way down to the Dodgers. Overall great first day and can”t wait to start following these guys journey through the minors on their way to Chavez Ravine.
You are most likely correct. I thought they might give him a five game or so start with the AZL Dodgers and move on to Ogden as Luke Raley did.
I agree with both of yooze guys. I think he will spend a little time in the AZL to get familiarized with the organization, but will spend most of his first pro season in Ogden. He may even see a few games at Great Lakes, especially if they make the playoffs.
Just my humble opinion.
Oh and Huira was not available at 23. He went 9th to the Brewers.
Missed that. Started following later.
I wrote the names of Jeren Kendall OF and Morgan Cooper RHP in my note book. Something I’ve never done before. I’ll check up on them from time to time.
Attaboy Joe!
I would recommend doing this with the top five Dodger picks. Often times this is where the best ones are.
I’ve added the names of Connor Wong C, James Marinan RHP and Riley Ottesen RHP.
Add Zach Pop to your list. He’ll be a good one.
He K’s 30% of the time (against NCAA pitching). Not to be the doomsday guy, but looks like Joc Part II to me. Hope I’m wrong.
There is a HUGE difference between college hitting coaches and MiLB & MLB hitting coaches.
This is going to end up being one of the best draft picks in recent years … so take THAT, Mr. Doomsday.
I’ll take your prediction and hope you’re right. Then again, how many MiLB and MLB pitching coaches have talked to Joc about shortening up his swing and changing his approach? I hope Kendell is more teachable. I read that he has been a free swinger since High School and nobody has changed him yet. Four of five tools he excels at. That’s a lot of positive so he has a few years under Dodger tuteledge to work on his weak area.
Yes, Joc is off to a slow start for 2017. But you might at least also recognize when he has done well.
Here are Joc’s ave. obp. slg. and ops after the all star game in 2016:
.260 .380 .520 .900
The .900 ops was third best for all center fielders in both American and National league, his slg. was also third best of all CFers, and his obp. was 5th best. Stats include everybody with more than 200 at bats after the all star game.
Never K’d 30% in any season and career was 24.1%
You are correct. Kendall’s last three years at Vandy showed a strikeout percentage of 29% in 2015, 22% in 2016 and 25% in 2017. Right around where Joc is in the Majors,(28%).
That was what dropped him out of the first few picks. I expect in watching him the Dodgers must feel that there is something that can be corrected.In any event,they must feel he is worth taking a chance on as a first round selection. He certainly has the athleticism so maybe those adjustments can be made, just as Oneil Cruz is doing with the Loons now.