 With Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread, Braves Stun Fans by Benching Top Prospect in High-Stakes Gamble
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves find themselves on the outside looking in at the National League playoffs. They are trailing by two games behind the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, having dropped three straight games as they head into the second of a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Braves’ offensive struggles have been significant, with the team managing only seven runs during their current losing streak. Outfielder Jarred Kelenic, in particular, has been struggling at the plate, especially since the All-Star Break. In Tuesday night’s loss, Kelenic struck out as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, marking his fourth strikeout in his last seven at-bats.
Since the break, Kelenic has played in 48 games, posting a .177/.247/.338 slash line with five home runs, 15 RBI, and 47 strikeouts. Once a top prospect for the Seattle Mariners, Kelenic was highly anticipated when the Braves acquired him last December. Initially expected to be a strong complement to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Michael Harris II, Kelenic’s performance declined significantly after Acuna’s season-ending injury and Harris’ inconsistent play. On July 9, he was batting .273 with a .766 OPS.
With Kelenic’s struggles persisting and Ozzie Albies expected to return for the weekend series against the Miami Marlins, the Braves might contemplate removing Kelenic from the lineup entirely. Manager Brian Snitker could shift Whit Merrifield, who has a .252 average and .706 OPS since August 2, to the outfield to finish the regular season. Merrifield, a three-time All-Star with postseason experience from his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, could provide a boost.
With only 11 games left in the regular season, the Braves’ margin for error is razor-thin, and they may not have the luxury of allowing Kelenic more time to regain his form.
