Calling Jarred Kelenic's 2024 a disappointment might be an understatement. After the Atlanta Braves acquired the young outfielder to serve as their starting left fielder and hoped he could improve on the on his 2023, where he was finally a league average hitter.
Unfortunately, that did not go as planned. The lefty regressed at the plate, slashing .231/.286/.393 (86 wRC+) while playing below average defense. With his disappointing play, along with Ronald Acuña Jr. still recovering from his ACL injury, the Braves felt it was necessary to sign Jurickson Profar to strengthen the outfield.
With Acuña not expected back until after the first month of the season, Jarred Kelenic has a month to prove that he's still capable of living up to his potential. However, things could get awkward if he actually can.
A Jarred Kelenic breakout season would be awkward
While the cumulative result of Kelenic's 2024 was disappointing, it really was a tale of two seasons. The 24-year-old outfielder started off decently. In the first month, he had a 98 wRC+, slashing .288/.347/.348. His production dipped in May, as struggled with plate discipline, but did see a tick up in power. Overall, his second month produced an 86 wRC+ with a .231/.250/.446.
Jarred Kelenic has his first home run as a Brave! pic.twitter.com/hW3P3oXCbC
— MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2024
June looked like the Braves had finally unlocked the former first rounder's potential. As the Braves were down two outfielders, Kelenic slashed .304/.356/.543 with a 147 wRC+. Then, immediately, he followed with a horrific July.
In the second half of the season, Kelenic only managed a 62 wRC+. In September, he only got 31 plate appearances.
Considering how things went in the second half of the season, it would be understandable to be pessimistic about his future with the Braves. Him being penciled in to start the season in right field might feel like it's simply the less worse stopgap until Acuña is ready.
There is still the possibility that the Kelenic who had a 115 wRC+ through the end of June is a better representation of the 25-year-old's true abilities than the 53 wRC+ he had from July 1 onward.
This spring, Kelenic admitted that he battled through some lingering injuries last season. If these injuries hampered his performance, it's reasonable to assume he could be an above average bat this season.
However, once Acuña returns, the outfield is completely full. Not just through the end of the season, but for the next three. Profar is signed through 2027, Acuña has club options through 2028, and Michael Harris II is locked up through the 2032 season.
Of course, there's the potential that Profar and Acuña could see time at DH after Marcell Ozuna's contract is up. However, unless one of them is willing to DH full time, there still won't be a full time opportunity for Kelenic through the remainder of his arbitration years.
A solid Kelenic showing out of the gate will make the Braves enthusiastic, but after the 2023 NL MVP returns, the only pathway for Kelenic to start would be an injury or a trade.