NORTH PORT, Fla. — One yr after coming to Spring Coaching because the man the Braves had simply spent roughly $17 million on to manage for 5 seasons, Jarred Kelenic feels considerably like a forgotten determine.
“We will want him to be a giant participant for us until we get Ronald [Acuña Jr.] again,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “Then, at that time limit, we’ll see the place we’re at.”
Kelenic will function the Braves’ main proper fielder till Acuña makes his anticipated return from knee surgical procedure sooner or later throughout the season’s first two months. However the plan is for him to spend a majority of the season as a backup, with Acuña, Michael Harris II and offseason addition Jurickson Profar serving because the on a regular basis outfielders.
“So long as I work on doing what I am speculated to, and deal with doing my job, I’ll have my alternative,” Kelenic stated. “So I’ll do every part I can to assist this workforce win. That is like the one factor I can management. I need to win simply as dangerous as everyone else in right here.”
Hoping to profit from the upside of a former prime prospect, the Braves took on a number of dangerous contracts once they acquired Kelenic from the Mariners in the course of the 2023 Winter Conferences. The gamble was comprehensible. The outfielder was taken sixth general within the ’18 MLB Draft and he ranked as MLB’s No. 4 prospect as not too long ago as ’21. Plus, he had proven some indicators of progress whereas producing a .746 OPS throughout an injury-shortened ’23 season with Seattle.
However it didn’t take lengthy to start questioning the choice. Kelenic’s gradual begin in Spring Coaching final yr led the Braves to signal Adam Duvall in mid-March as insurance coverage. Kelenic ended up hitting .231 with 15 homers and a .679 OPS final yr. His abilities had been seen as he loved some encouraging stretches. However by the tip of August, he misplaced his beginning function to Ramón Laureano, who signed with Atlanta after being launched by the Guardians final yr.
Kelenic’s hopes to be an on a regular basis participant in the course of the upcoming season vanished in January, when the Braves signed Profar to a three-year contract. Accidents have altered numerous plans. However with this newest outfield addition, the Braves primarily confirmed Kelenic doesn’t match into their on a regular basis plans over any of the subsequent three seasons.
“I understand what’s in my management and what’s not,” Kelenic stated. “I’ve sufficient belief to know that they need to win and I’m right here to assist win.”
The Braves definitely haven’t given up on Kelenic. New hitting coach Tim Hyers and assistant hitting coach Hugh Quattlebaum traveled to Kelenic’s Milwaukee-area house to hit with him this winter. Quattlebaum served as Seattle’s hitting coordinator throughout Kelenic’s first two years within the Mariners’ group (2019-20).
“Crucial trait for a hitting coach is the positivity, as a result of this recreation is tough and it’s simple to get down on your self,” Kelenic stated. “Having somebody who may be very constructive and optimistic is one thing you need in a hitting coach. Each Tim and Hugh have that.”
Now Kelenic is charged with the duty of remaining sturdy mentally throughout what’s been a difficult and influential interval of his life. The .663 OPS he has produced via 1,423 profession plate appearances creates cause to query his skill to dwell as much as as soon as lofty expectations. Final yr’s recent begin has been changed by the truth he not initiatives to be an on a regular basis participant in Atlanta.
However after spending a very good portion of this winter hitting together with his dad and brother in Wisconsin, Kelenic has come to Spring Coaching intent on remaining constructive and prepared when wanted.
“If I am worrying about different issues that I am unable to actually management, it form of creates baggage that I do not actually need,” Kelenic stated. “It form of slows you down. The sport is so quick that in case you have any kind of baggage on you, you are simply not going to carry out to the very best of your skills.”
