The Dodgers, a bit surprisingly, selected outfielder Jeren Kendall in the first round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft. The surprising part was that early in the most recent college season, Kendall was projected in most mock drafts to go among the top five selections, often projected as first overall. His draft stock fluctuated up and down during the season and finally settled out so that he landed in the middle of the first round at best, and often in the mid-twenties. As he was sliding down the line with some reputable baseball sources, he was climbing up the Dodgers leader board list.

Dodgers director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino, general manager Farhan Zaidi and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman were both pleased and shocked that Jeren Kendall was still available when their 2017 first round draft pick came up. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

When the Dodgers selected Kendall out of Vanderbilt with their first round selection in June, they went back to the same well once again. It marked the third straight year that they have used one of their first picks on a Vanderbilt product. Pitcher, and top prospect Walker Buehler, was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft while right-hander Jordan Sheffield was picked with a compensation round selection in 2016. At some point in their careers these three Vanderbilt products may well be teammates again. Kendall and Sheffield perhaps will be reunited with the Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League in the not-too-distant future.

The 6’1”/190-pound Kendall hit .307 in his junior year at Vanderbilt with 53 runs batted in 62 games. He stole 20 bases in 24 attempts. He has been described by some knowledgeable baseball people as having five tools while others drop the fifth tool not expecting him to display five-tool power. However, with the Commodores in 2017 he had 10 doubles, five triples and 15 home runs.

His college play at Vanderbilt in 2017 would suggest he could have gone well before the 23rd selection but fortunately for the Dodgers he was still on the board when it came their time to pick.

The knock on the Clearwater, Florida native was that he did not make enough contact, striking out 74 times in his junior year at Vanderbilt in 261 at bats compared to only 24 walks. That seemed to take him off the radar as a high first-round selection for most MLB teams. Billy Gasparino did not see the situation as problematic as most young players do not start their professional career totally developed with all of their baseball skills. Gasparino was more impressed by his athleticism, overall skill set, enthusiasm and his work ethic.

“When he puts ball in play, there’s a premium speed or power result, whether it’s a home run, double or stolen base,” Gasparino said. “I think every player has a development piece, and sometimes more than one, to reach the major leagues,” Gasparino said. “I’m sure our coaches will work on that area. He’s aware of it, and we’ll work together to improve it.”

After his selection, Dodger fans and minor league enthusiasts began their wait for Kendall to surface on a Dodger affiliate roster. The wait was prolonged as the 21-year-old outfielder did not sign until July 7, a full 25 days after he was selected by the Dodgers.

The waiting continued after Kendall signed, although Dodger fans had anticipated a quick assignment to a minor league affiliate, perhaps an initial stop with the Arizona League Dodgers.

On Tuesday, July 18 the wait was over as Jeren Kendall was assigned to the Ogden Raptors of the rookie level Pioneer League. He flew to Ogden, headed to the Lindquist Field, suited up and took up his position in center field. Interestingly enough, the first play of the game was a fly ball to Kendall.

Kendall, who bats left and throws right, was slotted into the number two hole by Raptors manager Mark Kertenian.

At the plate, in his four innings, Kendall had a night to remember. He came to the plate three times and on each occasion collected a base hit. Pitchers have an immaculate inning if they retire the side on nine pitches, all of them strikes. Kendall came close to an immaculate performance by a hitter. His three hits came on four pitches, the first he saw in the game was a ball.

Kendall was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored in his professional debut with the Dodgers Pioneer Rookie League Ogden Raptors on Tuesday. (Photo credit – Bayleigh Schroeder)

To punctuate his performance, as venerable Dodger announcer Vin Scully would so often say, the deuces were wild. Kendall scored two runs, drove in two and stole two bases.

His first hit was an infield hit, perhaps one of many more to come as Kendall loves to run and values what speed can do in the game.

“I’m just on go right away. I saw four pitches all day, which is nice. That’s how I play the game. I’m on go,” he said. “It’s nice just to put the ball in play and get my legs underneath me and run down to first. It was exciting, it really was. I don’t really know what to think about it. It happened and, hopefully, there’s a lot more to come.”

Vanderbilt Commodores coach Tim Corbin instills an “on-go” mentality to which Kendall completely bought into and he applies it to all phases of his game. “Everybody should be running, everybody should be on go. It doesn’t matter where you hit in the lineup or what kind of bat you have,” he added. “We all think you should do the simple things of the game. Legs and speed is the one thing that doesn’t slump in this game, which is nice. So, we all try to emulate that.”

Jeren Kendall’s debut was perhaps overshadowed by the Raptors offensive outburst in which they hung a 17-8 defeat on the Helena Brewers. However, first impressions are important and the young center fielder made a favorable impression on his coaches and the 4,787 fans in attendance at Lindquist Field.