The outfielder, only 24, gets a fresh start in Atlanta and he’s doing it with a new perspective.
Breaking his foot after kicking a water cooler in frustration last summer made Jarred Kelenic realize doesn’t want to be an example, he wants to set the example.
“I thought about all the kids back in Wisconsin that see something like that. That’s not what I want them to see. That’s not what I want them to be.”
“That isn’t something that I was going to let slide and I was never going to let that happen again.”
Kelenic, who was traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Atlanta Braves last weekend in a surprising trade to open the MLB Winter Meetings, talked to the media via Zoom on Wednesday. To open the call, he admitted he wasn’t expecting to get traded, but is excited about the surprise opportunity to join one of MLB’s premiere organizations.
“I mean, on that roster are some of the best players in the game.” That’s something I’m really looking forward to. I believe it will help me to simply get comfortable in the box and focus on what makes me click and what makes me the best version of myself.”
That greatest version was on display in Seattle to start the season, where Kelenic batted.308/.365/.615 with seven home runs in the first 26 games.
He attributes his brief success to his mechanics’ confidence and consistency.
“I think everything was just really well synced up.” […] I’d say I had a lot of moving components. I naturally had a stronger leg kick and a hand/palm thing that was working for me. And I believe I was being quite consistent with my moves. My body was feeling fantastic. I had just returned from the offseason. It was early in the morning. So I believe everything was in sync, and I was just seeing the ball extremely well.”
But as the season continued, Kelenic began to lose those mechanics – as fatigue set in, everything started to drift out of sync. “My hand pump kind of got a little bit bigger. My hands were dropping a little bit lower. My leg kick was kind of getting a little bit higher subconsciously. […] my body wasn’t moving as consistently, and I think that if your body’s not going to move consistently, I don’t think you’re really going to ever see consistent results.”
Correcting that mechanics drift is one of his main goals this offseason. “Something that I want to focus on is making sure that I’m a little bit more short and compact, so I’m able to be a little bit more consistent so that I can hopefully have those first two months of the season (results) the entire year.”
And, be assured, Kelenic believes that not only is the problem fixable, but that he can replicate his early-season performance over the course of the season if everything goes as planned.
“I still have faith in my abilities.” I am aware of my abilities. “I believe I’m capable of doing that all season.”
But Jarred will admit that the incident last summer, where he broke his foot kicking a cooler in the dugout after a strikeout, helped him realize something had to change in his mindset.
“One of the things I just realised after something like that happened: I caused it.” As if it were all my fault. I was the one who decided to do it. […] I couldn’t go out and play every day since I broke my foot. And those spectators who paid money to come watch me play, I took it personally that since I did something stupid, I wouldn’t be able to play for the folks that came to watch.”
But, in a touching moment of reflection, Kelenic revealed that the incident was ultimately a benefit since it caused him to reconsider how he approaches baseball.
“It made me take a step back and realise how fortunate and thankful I am to be in this position.” And I get to go out – I’ve wanted to play in the big leagues since I was a kid, and here I am. And when I’m in the major leagues, breaking my foot out of irritation isn’t going to happen, and it made me appreciate the game a little bit more.”
The deal also allows Kelenic to unwind and return to simply enjoying the game of baseball. He won’t have to bear the offensive burden in a lineup that includes heavyweights like Ronald Acua Jr, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley daily basis.
“Yeah, I mean, I think the most exciting thing for me is being able to not only be teammates with those guys , but also be able to just kind of watch how they go about their business on a day to day (basis) and really learn the ins and the outs of what they’re doing because obviously it’s working.”
“I mean, on that roster are some of the best players in the game.” That’s something I’m really looking forward to. And I think it’ll allow me to simply get comfortable in the box and really concentrate in on what makes me tick and who I am at my best.”
“And I think if I can just focus on that, I think, I’ll be right where I need to be.”
And, as he realises, Atlanta is where he needs to be. With a company that believes in him and demonstrated their desire for him by spending millions of dollars in 2024 to purchase him.
“I had some conversations with some people in the Braves’ front office, and they spoke highly of me when we talked on the phone.” That made me extremely delighted. And, at the end of the day, I realise that all I have control over is going out and taking care of business and doing my job. But hearing the backing I have from an organisation I haven’t even played for yet felt heartening.”
“And it makes me like just super excited to get to work and get out to Florida and start spring training.”
And who knows, with both Kelenic and Braves hitting consultant Chipper Jones being avid outdoor enthusiasts – “I’m a huge outdoorsman” –
hunter”, he told us – maybe that bond will form quickly.
“Chipper is without a doubt one of the best to ever do it.” And, given his education, I’m looking forward to picking his brain here (and hearing) what he has to say.”
The transcript of Jarred Kelenic’s whole interview is accessible if you want to read it.
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