FORT MYERS, Fla. — A pair of Braves vying for an outfield spot within the Opening Day lineup each made an impression in Friday afternoon’s 7-1 loss to the Twins at Lee Well being Sports activities Advanced.
In February, supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned Spring Coaching might decide who will get the nod out of the gate. The Braves might additionally platoon the duo – Kelenic is a left-handed hitter and De La Cruz a righty – primarily based on essentially the most advantageous matchup.
Just a few weeks into camp, each Kelenic and De La Cruz have had shiny spots. The pop has been there for the left-hander, who joined the membership previous to the 2024 season through a commerce with the Mariners.
Kelenic led off the third inning with a bang, taking a 1-2 Bailey Ober fastball effectively into the right-field bleachers for a solo shot. The homer, Kelenic’s second of the spring, traveled a Statcast-projected 386 toes and got here off the bat with a scorching exit velocity of 110.6 mph.
“Simply received an excellent pitch to hit,” Kelenic mentioned. “Was sort of shocked I [got it] in that rely, however [I] simply put an excellent swing on it.”
Stated Snitker, “It was good for him simply to DH and keep off his legs out within the outfield. These had been good at-bats.”
The 25-year-old Kelenic, who confirmed promising play by stretches of final season, is hitting .235 (4-for-17) this spring with an OPS of 1.081. Over 131 video games in 2024, Kelenic batted .231 with 15 homers and posted a .679 OPS.
Kelenic, a first-round Draft choose of the Mets in 2018 (sixth general), mentioned that he feels good about his swing in camp and that he’s engaged on enhancing his pitch choice. Final yr, he was elite when it got here to launch angle candy spot share (38%), touchdown him within the 84th percentile of MLB, based on Baseball Savant.
“Simply making an attempt to remain constant,” Kelenic mentioned of his method. “Attempting to [go after] pitches within the coronary heart of the plate, and making an attempt to get my swing off.”
Kelenic’s environment are actually extra acquainted as he arrived at camp final season for the primary time with the Braves. With a season beneath his belt, he is aware of the vast majority of the faces and names round him.
“I simply assume it is a comfortability factor,” Kelenic mentioned. “We had such an incredible group from prime to backside. Now, seeing much more acquainted faces as a result of I have been down within the trenches with them the final yr. Bought to construct relationships and develop, and now it is simply going after it once more.”
Final yr didn’t present Kelenic’s ceiling as a participant, because the Braves introduced in Adam Duvall towards the top of Spring Coaching. This offseason, they added Jurickson Profar to hitch Acuña and middle fielder Michael Harris II within the outfield.
Relating to his potential function this yr, Kelenic is simply targeted on engaged on his sport and being a part of a successful group.
“Understanding what you possibly can and might’t management is an enormous factor,” Kelenic mentioned. “I do know on the finish of the day, the group needs to win. They’ll give us each alternative to assist win the sport and compete for the World Collection; that is a very powerful factor. I am placing one foot in entrance of the opposite.”
When requested if taking part in time will come right down to matchups, Snitker mentioned, “In all probability.”
“Hopefully we are able to get lots out of each of them whereas we’re ready for [Acuña],” Snitker mentioned.
Kelenic mentioned he is not involved with what handedness his opposition is; he simply wants repetition to fine-tune his sport. He batted .206 with one homer and a .515 OPS in 72 plate appearances towards lefties final yr.
“You simply want reps,” Kelenic mentioned. “Final yr, we had depth all through the lineup. Simply want extra reps, that is all it’s. I’ve proven that I can hit left-handed pitching, and I feel the extra constantly I am getting ABs, the better it’s to face pitching each single day. I do not actually fear about left-handed or right-handed pitching.”
De La Cruz went 1-for-3 Friday afternoon and is now batting .353 (6-for-17) this spring.
The 28-year-old De La Cruz, who signed to a one-year deal in December, has been a doubles machine, with 25-plus every of the previous two seasons, together with a career-high 32 in 2023. De La Cruz has proven he can hit the lengthy ball as effectively, with 21 final season and 19 in ‘23.
“I like De La Cruz. I don’t actually need to see lots,” Snitker mentioned when requested in regards to the Dominican Republic native. “I do know he was harmful when he was with the Marlins. A very good participant.”
