Jared McKenzie

Baseball player
Jared McKenzie
Washington Nationals
Outfielder
Born: (2001-05-16) May 16, 2001 (age 22)
Tallahassee, Florida
Bats: Left
Throws: Left

Jared Nathan McKenzie (born May 16, 2001) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Washington Nationals organization.

Amateur career

McKenzie attended Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas, where he batted .535 with seven home runs alongside holding a 28-game hitting streak as a senior in 2019.[1] Unselected in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, he enrolled at Baylor University to play college baseball.

McKenzie started 16 games in center field as a freshman in 2020 and hit .406 with 28 hits before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] That summer, he played in the Texas Collegiate League for the Round Rock Hairy Men.[3][4] For the 2021 season, he started 51 games in center field and batted .383 with ten home runs, 44 RBIs, and 14 doubles.[5] He earned All-Big 12 Conference Honors.[6] Following the season's end, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Orleans Firebirds where he hit .226 with 36 strikeouts over thirty games.[7][8] Prior to the 2022 season, McKenzie was named an All American by numerous outlets and was also unanimously named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team.[9][10] Over 54 games for the season, he batted .288 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. After the season, he entered the transfer portal.[11]

Professional career

McKenzie was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round with the 141st overall selection of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft.[12] He signed with the team for $410,500.[13]

McKenzie made his professional debut with the Fredericksburg Nationals, hitting a home run in his first game with the team.[14] Over seventy at-bats in 17 games, he hit .400 with two home runs, 15 RBIs, seven doubles, and 11 stolen bases.[15] McKenzie played the 2023 season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks with whom he batted .212 with six home runs and 35 RBIs over 105 games.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Faces off the Field: Jared McKenzie, senior outfielder, Round Rock". Austin American-Statesman. June 6, 2019.
  2. ^ Cherry, Brice (March 18, 2021). "Baylor baseball's McKenzie puts well-stocked tool belt to good use". Waco Tribune-Herald.
  3. ^ "Round Rock Hairy Men Reveal Preliminary Roster". MiLB.com. June 18, 2020.
  4. ^ Jones, Thomas (June 24, 2020). "Round Rock Hairy Men roster includes local baseball talent". Austin American-Statesman.
  5. ^ Healy, Joe (December 2, 2021). "Baylor Baseball: Five Questions to Answer Entering 2022". Baseball America.
  6. ^ "Trio of Baylor baseball players named first-team All-Big 12". Waco Tribune-Herald. May 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "#18 Jared McKenzie". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Cherry, Brice (October 9, 2021). "Motivated Baylor baseball team eager to attack fall workouts". Waco Tribune-Herald.
  9. ^ "Baylor baseball's McKenzie pockets preseason accolade". Waco Tribune-Herald. January 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Ross, Garrett (January 26, 2022). "Baylor Baseball's Jared McKenzie earns Preseason All-Big 12 Honors". 247Sports.com.
  11. ^ Zimmerlee, Connor. "Bears OF Jared McKenzie Puts Name in Transfer Portal". Si.com. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Baylor outfielder Jared McKenzie drafted by Washington Nationals". Kcentv.com. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Nationals 2022 Draft signings tracker". Mlb.com. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  14. ^ "McKenzie and Wood dazzle, FredNats split doubleheader with Augusta". 12 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Jared McKenzie Stats, Fantasy & News".
  16. ^ https://www.masnsports.com/blog/harrisburg-wilmington-and-fredericksburg-set-opening-day-rosters

External links

  • Baylor Bears bio
  • Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)