The Atlanta Braves have been disturbingly quiet to this point in the offseason, not making one single noteworthy acquisition. There is still time before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, but it’s fair to wonder where exactly their priorities lie as the season approaches. To most, the outfield is viewed as the Braves’ most pressing need, but a Jarred Kelenic breakout campaign would ease a lot of those concerns.

Braves: OF Jarred Kelenic
Kelenic has been a breakout candidate each of the past few years. Will this be the year he finally lives up to the potential envisioned when he ranked as MLB’s No. 4 prospect as recently as 2021? The 25-year-old outfielder hit 15 homers and enjoyed a couple of good stretches last year. But he ended the season with a .679 OPS and was relegated to a bench role by the end of August. Though he debuted in 2021, the talented athlete is still young. If he finally finds some consistency, Kelenic might show why the Braves were willing to spend approximately $17 million to secure him prior to last season with five years of potential control. — Mark Bowman

Jarred Kelenic was acquired last offseason as the Braves took a gamble on his pure talent. He flashed at times, setting career highs in a multitude of categories, including games played and home runs. Kelenic was also able to cut down his strikeout rate a bit, but he still ultimately ended the season with a .679 OPS and was benched toward the end of the year in favor of Ramon Laureano.

Kelenic has the tools to be an everyday player at the major-league level, but can he find the consistency, particularly against left-handed pitching? He hit just .206 with a .516 OPS against southpaws in 2024. Those numbers will have to rise considerably if he’s to experience a breakout campaign, which feels unlikely given his track record.

For my Braves breakout candidate in 2025, I’ll go a little more off the wall. How about Grant Holmes?

At 28 years old, Holmes made his MLB debut last year after a decade in the minors, and one could argue 2024 was a breakout campaign of sorts. He accrued 1.1 WAR, posting a 3.56 ERA and 9.2 K/9 over 26 appearances, including seven starts. Holmes is going to play an integral role for the club in 2025, and I believe it will be as a starting pitcher, where he could prove to be the surprise of the year.

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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire