Jared McKenzie

Jared McKenzie
Washington Nationals
Outfielder
Born: (2001-05-16) May 16, 2001 (age 23)
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

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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

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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

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  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
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