Jarred Kelenic Played Through Injuries Last Season
According to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic played through several injuries last season. Toscano noted that the outfielder battled an oblique, wrist, and foot injury during the season. Kelenic said that none were "serious" and were just the result of the long season. Earlier in the offseason, it was reported that Kelenic is expected to compete for opportunities in right field alongside Bryan De La Cruz, while Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is sidelined. Both outfielders will likely be deployed in a platoon role, but a strong spring training could increase his playing opportunities. Last season, the former top prospect posted a .231/.286/.393 line with 15 home runs and seven stolen bases. However, when facing right-handers, he was more effective, as he held a .235/.295/.416 line. If he opens the season on the strong side of a platoon, he could have value in deeper NL-only formats.
Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz Could Platoon In Right Field
Until Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is able to return from a torn left ACL he suffered last year, Jarred Kelenic will be the team's primary right fielder, but MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that Kelenic could platoon with the right-handed-hitting Bryan De La Cruz. Jurickson Profar will start in left, and Michael Harris II will be in center field. In his first year with Atlanta in 2024, Kelenic, a former top prospect with the Seattle Mariners, slashed .231/.286/.393 with 15 home runs in 131 regular-season games. The 25-year-old posted a rough .595 OPS in the second half and will likely be Atlanta's fourth outfielder when Acuna returns. De La Cruz, 28, doesn't really take many walks, but he did hit .285/.309/.425 in 188 plate appearances against lefties with the Marlins and Pirates. A short-side platoon early on could give him some fantasy appeal in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues.
According to the team, outfielder Jarred Kelenic and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.3 million to avoid arbitration. The former top prospect spent the entire 2024 campaign with the Atlanta Braves. While he performed well at times, he struggled to find consistency as he held an overall .231/.286/.393 slash line with 15 home runs and seven stolen bases. During the first half, he held a solid .255 AVG and a .418 SLG but saw his production drop considerably in the second half to a mere .182 AVG and a .343 SLG. The 25-year-old generated a modest 45.2% hard-hit rate and a 9.9% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should expect Kelenic to operate as the everyday left fielder in Atlanta in 2025 but could be given a shorter leash given his late-season struggles in 2024.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic will sit for the second straight game on Friday night against the division-rival Washington Nationals at Truist Field with left-hander on the mound. Ramon Laureano will make the start in left field and will bat fifth against Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore. The Braves haven't let Kelenic face any left-handed starters in the second half of the season, and that's not going to change now that Michael Harris II is back from his hamstring injury. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has gone 14-for-63 (.222) against lefties in his first year in Atlanta with just one of his 13 home runs on the season. Laureano will make yet another start for Atlanta, but his playing time could dry up now that Jorge Soler is back from his hamstring injury. In his 37 games for the Braves, Laureano is hitting .284 (29-for-102) with six homers and 12 RBI. He's never faced Gore in his career.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic retreats to the bench on Thursday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park with a left-handed pitcher on the mound. Adam Duvall will make the start in left field and will hit sixth for the Braves against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. Duvall has never faced Sanchez in his career. Seven of his 10 long balls on the year have come against southpaws in 2024, but Duvall is also batting .178 (52-for-293) on the year with 98 strikeouts and 20 walks in 95 total games played. Now that Michael Harris II is back from his hamstring injury, the 25-year-old lefty swinging Kelenic will see more time off against southpaws. Only one of his 13 home runs this year have come against left-handed pitching, while he's hitting a weak .222 (14-for-67) against them. Kelenic has homered once in August while going 14-for-54 (.259).
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic will take a seat in Sunday's series finale as the Braves will play the rubber match of a three-game set against the Rockies. Kelenic has been held out of the starting lineup against southpaws over the past month, and this trend will continue on Sunday. In addition, the former top prospect was typically found in the leadoff spot but has recently begun to bat toward the back half of the lineup. Since August 1, the left-handed bat has held a solid .241 AVG with .414 SLG. Adam Duvall will cover left field, which will open center field for Eli White, who are both great picks in DFS as they will face Colorado southpaw Kyle Freeland, who carries a hefty 5.65 ERA.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic is starting Sunday's game on the bench against the hosting division-rival New York Mets with left-hander David Peterson on the mound. Ramon Laureano will get the start in center field and will bat sixth for the Braves against Peterson. Kelenic has become Atlanta's starter in center field with Michael Harris II (hamstring) on the injured list, but he hasn't taken advantage of the extra playing time. The 25-year-old left-handed swinger is hitting a meager .125 (11-for-88) with two home runs, six RBI, seven walks and 30 strikeouts in 22 games played over the last 28 days. In addition, he's gone 14-for-59 (.237) with only one of his 11 home runs on the season against left-handed pitchers. When Harris returns around mid-August, expect Kelenic to go back to a platoon role in a corner-outfield spot for the Braves.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic was 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Sunday's win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Kelenic is now hitting .272 with 10 homers and 29 RBI this season. It was the first home run in July for the 24-year-old after hitting six homers with 14 RBI in June. Kelenic has taken on an increased role following Ronald Acuna's injury and has rewarded patient fantasy managers.
Jarred Kelenic Comes Up Big In Wednesday Doubleheader
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic had a big day in his team's doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Kelenic started in center field and hit leadoff in both contests, combining to go 6-for-9 with one homer, four RBI, and a stolen base across both games. The 24-year-old has been a solid contributor for the Braves this season, hitting .282 with eight homers, 24 runs, 25 RBI, and three steals across 209 at-bats. He is worth a look as a reserve option in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats moving forward.
Jarred Kelenic Launches First Home Run Of The Season
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. He blasted a two-run shot off Kutter Crawford in the bottom of the third inning to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. Kelenic's homer traveled 368 feet with an exit velocity of 97 mph. It was his home run for the Braves as well as the regular season. He is now slashing .280/.333/.373 with a home run, six RBI, and nine runs scored over 81 plate appearances in 2024. Kelenic will continue to sit against lefties in favor of Adam Duvall, and his long ball on Tuesday was his first hit over his last five games. Despite his recent struggles, Kelenic produces enough to be a fantasy starter in 12-plus team leagues or formats that require you to start five outfielders.
Jarred Kelenic
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Braves
