LISTEN: Jerry Dipoto Discusses The Key to Seattle Mariners' Jarred Kelenic's Early-Season Success

Seattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic is off to a torrid start this season and is coming off a series in which he hit three massive homers in three games against the Chicaco Cubs. What has been the key to Kelenic's success in the early going? Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto told Seattle Sports 710 on Thursday. You can hear a portion of those comments here.

The Seattle Mariners haven't played clean baseball in the first two weeks of the season, going 5-8.

What they have gotten though, is a great individual performance from outfielder Jarred Kelenic.

Kelenic, 23, was the centerpiece of the 2019 trade that sent closer Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano to the New York Mets. Coming into this year, he has struggled to gain traction at the major league level, but he's performing well in the early going, leading people to remember why he stood near the top of baseball prospect rankings for years.

He's a lifetime .181 hitter through 537 career at-bats, but he has 24 homers to his resume. He has undeniable tools and the Mariners are trying to find ways to maximize that talent and put him in advantageous situations. He's been platooning with AJ Pollock, sitting against lefties, but he just might be earning himself everyday playing time at this point.

He's currently hitting .351 with three home runs and five RBIs. He hit massive home runs against the Cubs in all three games of the series. The one on Monday night tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning and hit the Wrigley Field scoreboard, while Wednesday's went a whopping 482 feet.

Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto spoke with Seattle Sports 710 on Thursday morning to discuss what the key for Kelenic has been. You can hear his full comments below and can read a portion here.

"Consistency in his approach... he's just in such a different place than the past couple of years. He's matured quite a bit in his approach..."

Kelenic and the Mariners will open up a three-game series in Seattle on Friday night with the Colorado Rockies. First pitch is 10:10 p.m. ET.

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