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Dodgers Draft Jeren Kendall With Their First Round Pick

By Cesar Becerra |
Jun 15, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores runner Jeren Kendall (3) rounds the bases after hitting the game-winning homer against the Cal State Fullerton Titans during the ninth inning in the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Vanderbilt won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores runner Jeren Kendall (3) rounds the bases after hitting the game-winning homer against the Cal State Fullerton Titans during the ninth inning in the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Vanderbilt won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers kicked off the opening night of the MLB draft by selecting Jeren Kendall, outfielder out of Vanderbilt.

Los Angeles had the 23rd overall pick of the MLB draft and elected to go hitting this time around. Jeren Kendall will be joining an already stacked minor league farm system and marks the second consecutive year where Andrew Friedman and company elected to go with hitting.

Last year the Dodgers drafted Gavin Lux with their 20th overall pick. Kendall is the first outfield taken in the first round by the Dodgers since 1998 when they drafted Bubba Crosby.

This draft has already started off with an unusual start with the first three picks coming directly out of High School. This has not been the case since 1990, when Chipper Jones, Tony Clark, and Mike Lieberthal were selected with the first three picks.

Kendall was ranked relatively high on the prospective list of hitters according to ESPN. MLB.com similarly projected him to go 15th overall. Kendall hit .309 with 19 home runs and 67 stolen bases in his three seasons at Vanderbilt. This season he saw a power increase with 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Check out these highlights from his college career.

Jeren Kendall is a 5-foot-10 left-handed outfielder that projects to be one of the few five-tool players in the draft with a unique set of power and speed that causes havoc on opposing pitchers. He led Vanderbilt in stolen bases and is seen as a plus defensive outfielder with his speed.

Next: Four Players the Dodgers Should Draft

The Dodgers next pick comes later this evening at the number 62 overall selection. To get an idea of what type of person Jeren Kendall is, read up on his Q&A with SBNation. The fact that Kendall was still available for the Dodgers at 23 was good news for the Dodgers. Kendall has the potential to be a superstar in the making,

and his defensive ability gives the Dodgers perhaps the most dangerous up and coming outfield, potentially pairing him with Alex Verdugo, Andrew Toles, and Ariel Sandoval. Stay with us as we’ll continue to recap the Dodgers draft picks and give you our thoughts on the newly acquired Dodgers. Great work, Friedman!

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