A recent lineup adjustment by the Atlanta Braves appears to be addressing their offensive struggles. Manager Brian Snitker made a bold decision to move outfielder Jarred Kelenic, who had been hitting in the bottom half of the lineup for most of the season, to the leadoff spot.
Although Kelenic wasn’t having a terrible season, his .706 OPS and only two home runs by mid-June didn’t typically warrant a promotion. Nevertheless, the team had faith in the move.
It turns out Snitker’s strategy was spot on. Kelenic went 3-for-5 with a home run in a 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. He remained in the leadoff position the next day and hit another home run, doubling his season total in just a couple of games.
This shift has helped the struggling Braves get back on track. Kelenic has now led off for the past five games, during which the Braves have won four. Kelenic has posted a .913 OPS during this period.
The @Braves are 4-1 since Jarred Kelenic moved up to the leadoff spot.
The 24-year-old outfielder owns a .913 OPS over those five games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BuxbIC1fxW
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) June 20, 2024
Kelenic has seen his OPS rise from .706 to .732 and is currently on a seven-game hitting streak, batting .300 during this period.
This move could be the key to unlocking Kelenic’s full potential. The 2018 sixth-overall pick was a top prospect for the Mariners for three years, ranking as their No. 1 prospect for two of those years, even with two-time All-Star Julio Rodriguez ranked right behind him at No. 2.
While it seems surprising now, this highlights the high expectations placed on Kelenic. However, he didn’t immediately excel against big league pitchers as hoped. In his first two seasons with the Mariners, Kelenic batted .168 with a 66 OPS+ in 147 games. He made progress in his third year, with a slash line of .253/.327/.419/.746 and an OPS+ of 110.
The Braves recognized Kelenic’s potential when they acquired him in a five-player trade in December, although they kept their expectations realistic.
“Look, obviously he’s had a lot of expectations, highly touted and so on,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said after acquiring Kelenic. “We do think that this will be a good spot for him. We have a deep lineup. Whoever is in that lineup, you’re one of nine. There’s not any more expectation.”
Kelenic has already proven he can contribute at the MLB level and wasn’t likely to be sent to Gwinnett anytime soon. However, this might be the moment the 24-year-old achieves his long-awaited breakout.
Kelenic’s bat comes at a crucial time for the Braves’ offense, which has struggled without star player Ronald Acuna Jr. The lineup has lacked the explosiveness it had last season when the Braves led MLB with an .845 OPS. This season, it has dropped to .717. The Braves needed a spark, and Kelenic could provide it.
The Braves head to the Bronx on Friday to start their series with the New York Yankees, where the short porch in right field awaits the lefty Kelenic to continue his hot streak.
