Maybe Spring Training Numbers Aren't a Big Deal After All

Everyone on the internet was making a big deal about Jarred Kelenic's Spring Training numbers. Maybe it isn't that much of a big deal.

Atlanta Braves left fielder Jarred Kelenic singles against the Chicago White Sox / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

I feel like we have to have this conversation every year. During Spring Training, everyone on the internet overreacts about someone's numbers. Kelenic appeared in 21 games during Spring Training for the Atlanta Braves and he finished 8-for-56 at the plate with one triple, one homer, four RBI, and 13 strikeouts. 

That equates to a batting average of .143. Way below the Mendoza Line. That performance made people question whether it was a good idea for Alex Anthopoulos to take a chance on him or not. As per usual, AA knows more than all of us who are sitting at home.

Sure, AA signed Adam Duvall back and brought him back home to Atlanta. Anthopoulos said that he planned on doing that regardless of his opinion on Kelenic. I have made the statement several times that there was a reason Kelenic was struggling at the plate; it's because he and Kevin Seitzer were working on his swing. 

Seitzer is the Braves hitting coach and as you can tell by the generational offensive numbers the Braves put up last season, he knows a thing or two about hitting. He was hard at work behind the scenes analyzing every part of Kelenic's swing to improve his efficiency at the plate. 

Kelenic got the start in left field for the first game of the season against the Phillies and has appeared in every game this season. How do his numbers look now? He is currently 6-for-11 (.545) with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. I know, the sample size is small, but maybe people should not have been so quick to judge the talented prospect. 

Don't write Jarred Kelenic off just yet. He still has a lot more left to give. There is no way he will keep up the breakneck pace he is at right now, but if he can continue to play well for the rest of the season, the Braves will have hit a home run with this trade.