The 2024 season has brought a new set of challenges for 24 year-old Jarred Kelenic. His ups and downs in the early stages of his MLB career had many questioning if he could ever live up to the top prospect status he earned while he was in the Mets organization.
Nevertheless, Kelenic’s 2023 season in Seattle offered the Atlanta Braves ample incentive to acquire the young outfielder in the winter. Kelenic has been working on a swing change throughout a difficult Spring Training, but he has appeared to be gradually displaying the physical attributes that made him a top MLB prospect. The new left fielder for the Braves is slashing when he gets in tonight.in just under 60 at-bats,
Kelenic is still trying to tap into some of that immense power with the bat, as well as cut down on his whiff% which currently sits in the 9th percentile via Baseball Savant. But as he works through his first year in Atlanta one thing is certain, Kelenic is loving the city and the camaraderie Alex Anthopoulos and Brian Snitker have built in Atlanta.
Kelenic has played in Atlanta for just one month, but he’s already won over his teammates. Many of the Braves stars touched on the talent within Kelenic, and how he can provide a massive lift to the bottom of the order.
Kelenic has described the move to Atlanta as “A blessing to be here” and feels the togetherness in the clubhouse. Kelenic said the perspective around baseball about the Braves is that they do it the right way, and take care of the player like they are family.
Kelenic has been open about trying to be a sponge and learn from the great hitters in the Braves clubhouse as an attempt to become the best player he can be. Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud went as far to say that Kelenic makes Atlanta’s outfield elite at every position.
