JUST IN: MLB reporters and Brave fans reacts Jarred Kelenic incoming speech as he prepares to join Braves

Many fans are disappointed that the Braves haven’t made any big moves this offseason. They’ve focused on the margins, re-signing some of their own players and bringing in two somewhat off-the-radar acquisitions who could add a lot more to the club than many people expect.

About a month ago, the Braves signed Reynaldo Lopez to a three-year contract. He provides much-needed velocity and versatility to Atlanta’s bullpen, which now appears to be one of the best in the league following a strong season this year. However, former sixth-round pick Jarred Kelenic appears to be the player with the most potential among this winter’s acquisitions.

The Mets originally selected Kelenic sixth overall. Being chosen so high in a city like New York comes with a lot of pressure, and that pressure was only increased when he was included in a trade to the Mariners for star closer Edwin Diaz. In terms of market size, Seattle is nothing like New York, but being the centerpiece of a trade for an All-Star usually comes with unrealistic expectations, which Kelenic hasn’t always handled correctly early in his career.

Kelenic fell far short of living up to his lofty prospect status in his first two seasons with the Mariners. He hit.168 with 21 homers in 147 games, but things seemed to turn around for him in year three.

Jarred Kelenic hit.309 with seven home runs and a.979 OPS through the first 28 games of the season. That success, however, would not last long. He began to revert to his old ways, culminating in an incident in which he kicked a water cooler out of frustration, resulting in a broken foot. Kelenic realized at that point that things had to change if he wanted to pursue his major-league dream.

A change of scenery is sometimes required for a player to reach his full potential. Kelenic’s actions may have grown old in Seattle, but expectations in Atlanta will be different. He’ll be surrounded by All-Star talent, and he’s thrilled at the prospect.

“I was fired up because I knew I was going to a really good organization,” Jarred Kelenic explained. “They’ve had a winning history for the last however many years, and it’s no question that they were one of the best teams in baseball all last year and years prior.”

The Braves don’t require Kelenic to be a star. He has the talent to be one, but all they’ll ask of him is to fit in, come to work every day prepared, hit a few home runs into the chophouse, and play good defense in left field. If Kelenic can do that, he’ll be a less expensive Eddie Rosario. Anything beyond that is just gravy. That should relieve a lot of pressure on a player who has dealt with a lot of it early in his career and allow him to enjoy himself again playing a kid’s game.

“I’ve wanted to play in the big leagues since I was a little kid,” Kelenic told Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal Constitution. “It can’t happen when I’m in the big leagues and I break my foot out of frustration.” It made me appreciate the game even more. I hadn’t felt that joy even when I was on my rehab assignment and was just getting back on a baseball field. “I was just grateful to have the opportunity to be out there and play again.”

Blockbuster signings win the offseason, but World Series aren’t won in the offseason. Margin improvements are frequently the difference. Nobody is better than Alex Anthopoulos at making sure the roster is 1% better across the board, and he may have just struck gold with Jarred Kelenic.