Jarred Kelenic DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

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.