Braves send down player at heart of Ronald Acuña’s double standard gripe

The Atlanta Braves have made a significant move by optioning outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A, following a week of controversy in the clubhouse. The decision comes after Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. expressed his displeasure with manager Brian Snitker’s handling of Kelenic’s lack of hustle during a game on April 19.

The incident in question occurred when Kelenic hit a ball to right field and initially thought it was a home run. He jogged out of the batter’s box, only to realize the ball had hit the top of the wall and stayed in play. Despite his efforts to turn a potential single into a double, Kelenic was thrown out at second base.

After the game, Snitker was questioned about disciplining Kelenic, to which he responded in a way that did not satisfy Acuña. The star outfielder took to social media to express his frustration, stating that if he had behaved in a similar manner, he would have been taken out of the game.

While Acuña later deleted his post, the message was clear and brought attention to the perceived double standard within the team. This is not the first time Acuña has been vocal about such issues, as he has a history of holding himself and his teammates to a high standard.

In 2019, Acuña was benched by Snitker for similar lapses in judgment on the base paths. The manager emphasized the importance of hustle and effort, making it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated on the team.

Kelenic’s demotion to Triple-A is not solely based on his lack of hustle but also on his lack of production at the plate. The young outfielder has struggled to find success in the big leagues, hitting just .167 with a .531 OPS in the early stages of the 2025 season.

Once considered one of MLB’s top prospects, Kelenic’s journey has been rocky since being traded from the New York Mets to the Seattle Mariners. Despite showing promise in the minors, he has yet to translate that success to the major league level.

As the Braves make this roster move, it highlights the importance of accountability and performance in professional sports. While Kelenic may have a bright future ahead of him, he will need to prove himself in Triple-A before earning another shot with the big league club.

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