Brian Snitker talks about Vaughn Grissom and Jarred Kelenic in left field
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker addressed the media from the MLB Winter Meetings on Tuesday, and opened his press conference with discussion about his new left fielders in trade acquisition Jarred Kelenic, formerly of the Seattle Mariners, and youngster Vaughn Grissom, who is converting from infield to the grass this winter.
Asked about his thoughts on if there was more potential for Kelenic to grow, Snit agreed. "He's only 24", he remarked, although he admitted he didn't remember what Kelenic did against the Braves last season. "I don't remember what I had for breakfast," Snit joked.
(Kelenic went 4-12 with a homer, four runs scored, and one walk to four strikeouts in three games against Atlanta last season. The series, which ran from May 19th-21st, was won by the Braves, two games to one.)
"I'm excited to see this kid perform" he explained, saying that he had talked to some of his "scouting buddies" at the meetings in Nashville and said the reports were that Kelenic's a "tooled-up, really nice looking player."
"I just know from talking to people how talented he is."
Kelenic flashed some of that talent in 2023, batting .253 with 11 homers and 13 stolen bases in just over 100 games last season with Seattle.
But Snit also discussed the perceived immaturity in Kelenic's game. "They say he's a kid". Kelenic's breakout 2023 was interrupted by a two month absence for a broken foot, suffered when he kicked a dugout cooler after striking out.
Snitker admitted that he hadn't talked to hitting coach Kevin Seitzer about working with Kelenic yet, but is hopeful the move to Atlanta will ultimately improve Kelenic's game in multiple ways. "It'll be good for him to get in with our group," said Snit, referring to Atlanta's leaders in the clubhouse. "Our program, what we do, and how we approach things - I think it'll be really beneficial for a young, talented player."
But despite the accolades, Snit insisted that there was not a decision already made about who would be the primary starter in left field, leaving that for next February and March in North Port. "We'll go to spring training, same as we always do. We'll have thirty games" to evaluate whether Grissom or Kelenic will be the primary starter.
Grissom's heading out for winter ball in Puerto Rico, when Snitker saying Grissom should be debuting sometime in the next few days and playing left field.
When asked about the transition for the career infielder in Grissom, Snit explained that "it'll be interesting, but it's something that (Grissom) - he wants to go do that." Learning to play the outfield would be a useful skill set to develop. "We all know the kid can hit. It'll be nice to see him down there, running around the outfield."
Braves Today is on site at the Winter Meetings and you can view the entire Brian Snitker presser on our YouTube Channel!
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