Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Jeren Kendall, who the team selected No. 23 overall in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft, has decided to retire.
The center fielder out of Vanderbilt University was widely regarded as one of the top overall prospects in the Draft entering his junior season, but his stock fell after he struck out 74 times in 63 games, which had scouts questioning Kendall’s ability to make contact.
Still, the Dodgers took a chance on him due to elite athleticism and MLB-ready defensive ability hoping they could help the offense come along with swing changes and mechanical tweaks. Kendall had star potential if he became even an average Major League hitter. However, it never quite worked out.
Kendall appeared in 395 Minor League games, batting .209/.303/.390 with 53 doubles, 25 triples, 50 home runs, 184 RBI, 204 runs scored and 112 stolen bases while never playing above the Double-A level.
His strikeout problems also continued throughout the Minors as he struck out more than 27% of the time, and reaching up to a 39.8% strikeout rate, in every season he played more than five games.
In 2019, Kendall was among the Dodgers prospects selected to the Arizona Fall League following the best season of his career. While playing the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Kendall hit .219/.319/.469 with 19 home runs, 63 RBI, 51 runs scored, 24 stolen bases and a 114 wRC+ across 96 games.
But following the productive season, Kendall and the rest of the Minor Leaguers missed the 2020 season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Following a return to the field in 2021, he took a step back offensively, and that further dipped this year.
During the 2022 Minor League season, Kendall spent all his time playing for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, appearing in 84 games while batting .162/.278/.295 with six home runs, 19 RBI, 34 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, a 51 wRC+ and 36.3% strikeout rate.
The Dodgers originally signed Kendall for $2.9 million, which was above the $2,702,700 slot value of the 23rd pick. He was previously drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 30th round in 2014, but did not sign with the team and instead opted for college.
David Price won’t pitch during the 2023 season
David Price spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues and three as a member of the Dodgers, but his career may be coming to an end.
In July, the 37-year-old said he would speak with his children about potentially retiring. It was also reported that he would indeed retire after the 2022 season, but the left-hander refuted that and said a decision had not been made.
Now, Price’s agent said he will not pitch during the 2023 season, but stopped short of saying it’s a retirement.
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