ATLANTA— Jarred Kelenic is raring to alter the narrative after his commerce to the Atlanta Braves.
He doesn’t wish to be one other prized prospect who fails to reside as much as lofty expectations. For certain, he doesn’t wish to be remembered largely because the man who foolishly broke his foot kicking a water cooler in frustration.
“I’m looking forward to a fresh start,” Kelenic mentioned Wednesday.
The 24-year-old outfielder has been essentially the most intriguing acquisition of the offseason for the Braves, who received an MLB-leading 104 video games this previous season however did not advance within the playoffs.
He’s anticipated to take over in left area after Atlanta declined its possibility on Eddie Rosario, giving the Braves one other younger participant with large potential in an already potent lineup led by NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.
“I’ve done a lot of learning the last three years, that’s for sure,” Kelenic mentioned. “I’m looking forward to being myself and having a clean slate.”
The sixth decide by the New York Mets within the 2018 draft, Kelenic was a key piece in a blockbuster deal just a few months later with the Seattle Mariners. The Mets had to surrender one among baseball’s prime prospects as a part of a seven-player deal to accumulate nearer Edwin Díaz and infielder Robinson Canó.
Kelenic made it to the massive leagues in 2021, hitting 14 homers with 43 RBIs however posting a mean of simply .181. He was even worse the next 12 months, batting .141 with seven homers and 17 RBIs in 54 video games.
This previous season, Kelenic lastly started to reside up expectations. He hit .308 with seven homers and 14 RBIs over the primary month of the season, carving out an everyday spot within the Mariners lineup.
But his common dipped because the summer time went alongside. The hits have been fewer and farther in between. Having gone greater than a month with no homer, his frustration lastly boiled over after a ninth-inning strikeout throughout a July 19 loss to Minnesota.
Kelenic delivered a kick to that notorious water cooler and wound up with a damaged bone in his left foot. While sidelined for practically two months, he realized that his mindset needed to change.
“I had to step back to look at what I’m doing,” Kelenic remembered pondering to himself. “I’m not happy. I’m way too frustrated. I’m letting my emotions get the best of me. I’m not even enjoying the game. I had to take a step back and realize how lucky and thankful I am to be in the position I am in. Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to play in the big leagues, and here I am. I’m in the big leagues and I break my foot out of frustration. That just can’t happen.”
Kelenic returned to the Mariners for the ultimate three weeks of the season, however the group missed out on a playoff berth by a single recreation. He completed with 11 homers, 43 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and a .253 common – nonetheless a far cry from what was anticipated of him after being shortly hailed as a future star.
When Seattle determined to shed payroll, they have been prepared to surrender Kelenic as a part of a five-player commerce with Atlanta.
The Braves are wanting to see what he can do on a group the place he received’t be the focal point. They received their sixth straight NL East title with a fearsome lineup that matched the massive league document with 307 homers, and barring additional strikes Rosario is the one starter from that group who received’t be returning in 2024.
Acuña had an unprecedented season with 41 homers and 73 stolen bases, Matt Olson slugged a franchise-record 54 homers, Marcell Ozuna went deep 40 occasions, whereas Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley each surpassed 30 homers. Four gamers piled up 100 RBIs, and Riley simply missed out with 97.
The left-handed-hitting Kelenic will seemingly hit towards the underside of the order, and will even discover himself in a platoon state of affairs if Vaughn Grissom exhibits he’s able to taking part in the outfield.
Grissom is coming off a stellar season offensively at Triple-A, however he’s struggled defensively at shortstop, so the Braves despatched him to the Puerto Rican winter league to be taught a brand new place.
No matter his position, Kelenic is thrilled to be with a bunch of gamers who’ve had a lot success, together with a World Series championship in 2021.
“I’m fired up,” he mentioned. “I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to be their teammate.”
The Braves can afford to be affected person with Kelenic, who isn’t eligible without cost company till 2029. In that sense, he suits proper in to a group that has a lot of his younger core beneath long-term offers.
“I still believe in the ability I have,” Kelenic mentioned. “I know what I’m capable of doing.”
