Vanderbilt OF Jeren Kendall selected by Los Angeles Dodgers with the 23rd overall pick in 2017 MLB Draft

It says something about Jeren Kendall’s raw ability that the Vanderbilt junior outfielder hit .307/.372/.556 with 15 homers and 20 stolen bases... and that felt like a bit of a disappointment.

In light of a breakout sophomore season, when the 6’0”, 190-pound outfielder from Wisconsin hit .332/.396/.568 with nine longballs and 28 steals, though, maybe it was? Kendall was named a third-team All-American as a sophomore and in his Vanderbilt career, he swiped 67 bags and hit 32 home runs.

Still, players with Kendall’s toolset don’t grow on trees, and that’s why the Los Angeles Dodgers made him the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Now, Kendall will get a shot at playing professional baseball. Kendall joins Kyle Wright as Vanderbilt’s second first-round pick in the 2017 draft and its 12th since 2007.