SE Atlanta News

Jarred Kelenic has made significant adjustments since changing his batting stance in Spring Training. However, the most impactful change for him appears to be his move from the Mariners to the Braves last December.

“I’m just having fun with these guys,” Kelenic said. “I feel like this is such a good group from top to bottom. I wake up looking forward to coming to the ballpark each and every day. I look forward to doing whatever I can to help win that night.”

Kelenic played a crucial role in helping the Braves secure a 2-1 victory over the Pirates in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon at Truist Park. The outfielder hit a leadoff homer against Paul Skenes and made a game-saving catch, which ultimately led to Adam Duvall scoring free runner Luke Williams with a game-ending single.

“He’s a fiery competitor and he expects a lot out of himself,” Braves starting pitcher Max Fried said. “He’s extremely talented. So, when he gets going and lets himself stay within himself ... you see what he can do.”

The Braves have benefited from Kelenic's talent over the past month, similar to what the Mets saw when they selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. The Mariners also recognized his potential when they acquired him in exchange for Edwin Díaz and Robinson Canó that same year.

Seattle moved on after Kelenic produced a .656 OPS over 974 plate appearances from 2021-23. The Braves took a chance on the 24-year-old outfielder, who has since hit .320 with six homers and a .945 OPS over his past 27 games dating back to May 29, shortly after Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending injury made Kelenic an everyday player.

Kelenic’s performance has surged since taking over as leadoff hitter on June 15 following Michael Harris II’s left hamstring strain. He has batted .351 with a 1.046 OPS in 63 plate appearances over those 14 games.

“It’s a lot of responsibility you’re putting on the kid, and he’s responded really well, which is a really good sign of the player himself,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

Facing Paul Skenes' overpowering arsenal did not faze Kelenic, who energized the home crowd by sending Skenes’ third pitch—a 98.4 mph fastball—over the right-field wall for his hardest-hit homer yet.

“Everybody knows who [Skenes] is,” Kelenic said. “I made a plan to myself that I was going to be aggressive in the zone, especially on the fastball, early. I was just on time for it.”

Kelenic celebrated enthusiastically after his first-inning solo shot cleared the fence, indicating comfort and happiness with both his new role and environment.

“When you’re going good, you have fun; when you’re going bad, you’re not going to have so much fun,” Snitker said. “But he’s really swinging the bat well. It’s good to see.”

In addition to recording his third multihit performance within five games, Kelenic demonstrated competence in center field—a position he had taken over due to Harris’ injury—by making key plays such as racing down Yasmani Grandal’s long fly ball with two outs and two runners in scoring position at end of eighth inning.

Despite falling short of another home run when his drive was caught at right-center-field wall at start of bottom eighth inning, Kelenic remains positive about being part of talented team atmosphere around similar-minded players.

“I’m around such a talented group,” Kelenic said. “We have so many similar things that we talk about. It’s very comforting. It’s just a fun atmosphere when you are around guys that have that same mentality.”