Is a De La Cruz-Kelenic platoon on horizon for Braves?

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Jarred Kelenic played right field when the Twins started a right-handed pitcher on Saturday. Bryan De La Cruz filled that position when the Braves faced Rays left-hander Joe Rock on Sunday.

So, was this an indication that Atlanta is leaning toward platooning Kelenic and De La Cruz until Ronald Acu?a Jr. returns from left knee surgery in the first two months of the regular season?

“We’re going to use [Spring Training] to determine that,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We weren’t planning on it last year, and then we got Adam Duvall.”

As the Braves were reminded last season, it’s not always wise to show your hand too early. Kelenic was slated to begin last season as Atlanta’s everyday left fielder, but his struggles through the first couple weeks of March led to the late-spring signing of Adam Duvall, who ended up platooning with Kelenic.

How might the next couple of weeks influence the Braves’ decision about right field?

Kelenic got off to a good start on Saturday, producing a pair of liners in his first two plate appearances. He laced a 107.9 mph opposite-field double to begin the game and then generated a 101.5 exit velocity with a third-inning lineout. He struck out in his only other plate appearance.

De La Cruz, who signed a one-year, $860,000 deal on Dec. 15, also made a good first impression. He hustled his way into a double in the second inning and then flew out to center field in his only other plate appearance.

Kelenic batted .231 with 15 homers and a .679 OPS last season. His talents were visible during some encouraging stretches, but by the end of August, he and Duvall were sitting while left field was manned by Ramón Laureano, who joined Atlanta on a Minor League deal after he was released by the Guardians in May.

One year after it spent approximately $17 million to control Kelenic for five seasons, Atlanta signed Jurickson Profar to a three-year deal. In other words, the plan is for Profar, Michael Harris II and Acu?a to serve as the team’s everyday outfielders through at least the 2027 season.

But Kelenic could provide some value as a platoon player. He batted .236 with 14 homers and .711 OPS in 377 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers. His numbers against left-handers were ugly: He batted .206 with one homer and a .516 OPS in 72 plate appearances against them.

“It’s hard for a left-handed hitter to play every day in this game unless you’re a Hall of Famer,” Snitker said.

As for De La Cruz, the Braves need to get a feel for whether he’s the guy who hit 18 homers and produced a .717 OPS in 454 plate appearances for Miami last season. Or will he disappoint like he did when he hit three homers and had a .514 OPS in 168 plate appearances after being sent to the Pirates at the Trade Deadline?

De La Cruz might also prove more valuable when platooned. He hit 17 of his 21 home runs against right-handers, but he had just a .654 OPS in 622 plate appearances against them last year. He had a .733 OPS in 188 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers.

So much of De La Cruz’s offensive value comes via his power. He homered once every 23.8 at-bats against right-handed pitchers and once every 44.8 at-bats against left-handers.

Another option would be to have Eli White serve as the right-handed portion of a platoon with Kelenic. But for now, White is focused on adding to his versatility. The 30-year-old outfielder will play the infield throughout the Grapefruit League season. He led off and played second base during a 4-2 loss to the Rays on Sunday.

Rough start

Grant Holmes allowed two hits, including a Junior Caminero home run, over two innings on Sunday. Surrendering a homer to a guy who just hit a big Winter League homer a few weeks ago is excusable, especially this early in camp. But Ian Anderson had reason to feel a little more frustrated as he issued three walks over just 1 2/3 innings in the same game.

“I know the results are what’s going to get me on the team,” Anderson said. “That’s going to take precedent, which is why I’m not overly thrilled with how it went.”

Anderson was pitching in a big league setting for the first time since he had Tommy John surgery in April 2023. He’s also confident he’ll get a little more life on his fastball, which sat around 92 mph Sunday.

Both Anderson and Holmes will have time over the next few weeks to prove why they came to camp as the favorites for Atlanta’s two available rotation spots.