The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected Vanderbilt University outfielder Jeren Kendall with their first pick (23rd overall) in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft. 
The 6-foot, 190-pound left-handed hitting outfielder posted a .307 (80-for-261) batting average with 10 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs, 53 RBI and stole 20 bases in 2017 as a junior at Vanderbilt. He led the team in runs scored (59), hits and home runs, while posting a .372 on-base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage. Kendall, 21, was rated by Baseball America as the sixth-best outfielder in the 2017 draft and was the 18th overall prospect. He was also named to the All-SEC and All-Defensive Team this season with the Commodores. 
"We're super excited to be able to select Jeren," said Dodger Director, Amateur Scouting Billy Gasparino. "He is a multi-tooled player that can do a lot of things with both sides of the ball. He is coming from a great program and great makeup, we would love to have him as part of this organization and we are excited to be able to select him."
Kendall's father, Jeremey Kendall, was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 26th round of the 1992 First-Year Player Draft and played in the Phillies organization for five seasons. 
This marks the second straight year that that the Dodgers have selected a position player with their first overall pick, selecting shortstop Gavin Lux from Indian Trail High School (Kenosha, WI) in last year's draft. Los Angeles has selected a pitcher with their first pick of the draft in 10 of the last 13 years and have selected their top picks from Vanderbilt University in two of the last three years. 
Kendall was scouted by Dodger area scout Marty Lamb. 
The Dodgers have one more pick tonight with the 62nd overall pick (second round).