The Braves have solely performed two video games within the younger MLB season, however a giant cause why they’re 2-0 is the contributions of 24-year-old Jarred Kelenic, who was dropped at Atlanta by way of a commerce with the Seattle Mariners in December of 2023.
After going 1-2 in Friday’s season-opening win towards the Phillies, Kelenic caught fireplace on Saturday, going 3-4 on the plate with a stroll and making a spectacular defensive play as effectively.
For a Braves workforce that has a deeper lineup than any in baseball, the nice shock of Kelenic’s sizzling begin solely makes the very best offense in baseball that significantly better.
No matter what occurs in tomorrow afternoon’s collection finale, Kelenic’s opening weekend in Philadelphia must be thought-about a large success for a participant who was the largest offensive unknown on the workforce heading into the season.
That distinction isn’t essentially a knock on Kelenic, however moderately, one other instance of how good the Braves offense is – and the way significantly better it may be if Kelenic continues to be a constant contributor.
Kelenic clearly will not be capable of preserve his .667 common up all season, but when he develops right into a participant who will get on base each night time, he’ll be a pleasant addition to a Braves workforce that wants a scrappy participant to finish its lineup.
Kelenic is coming off the very best season of his main league profession in 2023. After batting underneath the dreaded Mendoza line in 2021 and 2022, he hit a strong .253 in 2023, with 11 dwelling runs and 49 RBI. It appears that evidently Kelenic is poised for the very best season of his younger profession with an Atlanta workforce that’s certain to as soon as extra be probably the greatest in baseball.
Time will finally inform if the Kelenic commerce is an total success for the Braves group, however he is already proving his value on his first weekend with the workforce.
