Jarred Kelencic, Braves player at center of double standard call-out by Ronald Acuña Jr, sent down to Triple-A

Fox News - Apr 29th, 2025
Open on Fox News

The Atlanta Braves have sent outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A following a week of controversy in the clubhouse. The situation arose when star player Ronald Acuña Jr. criticized manager Brian Snitker for not disciplining Kelenic after a lack of hustle during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Kelenic's slow run to first base, thinking he'd hit a home run, resulted in him being thrown out at second base. Acuña voiced his frustration on social media, pointing out a perceived double standard as he had previously been benched for similar actions.

Kelenic's demotion is primarily due to his poor performance at the start of the 2025 season, hitting only .167 with a .531 OPS. Despite once being a top MLB prospect, Kelenic has struggled since his debut, initially with the Seattle Mariners before being traded to the Braves. The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the Braves regarding player discipline and performance expectations, potentially impacting team dynamics and Kelenic's future prospects in the major leagues.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive account of a recent controversy involving the Atlanta Braves, focusing on Jarred Kelenic's demotion and Ronald Acuña Jr.'s reaction. It is well-structured and clear, with a logical flow that aids reader comprehension. The story is timely and relevant to sports fans, particularly those interested in Major League Baseball. While the article is accurate and balanced in its presentation, it could benefit from a wider range of sources and more explicit transparency about its information-gathering processes. The potential impact of the article is moderate, primarily engaging sports enthusiasts and prompting discussions about team management and player treatment. Overall, the article is a solid piece of sports journalism that effectively captures a current issue within a professional sports team.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story is largely accurate, with the main facts about Jarred Kelenic's demotion and the controversy involving Ronald Acuña Jr. being well-supported by the details provided. The article correctly reports Kelenic's optioning to Triple-A Gwinnett and the incident during the April 19 game where Kelenic's lack of hustle was highlighted. It accurately describes Acuña's reaction on social media and his subsequent deletion of the post. However, the connection between Kelenic's demotion and his performance versus the controversy could be more explicitly verified. The story also correctly recalls the historical precedent involving Acuña's past benching for similar behavior, adding credibility to the claims of a double standard.

7
Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives, including those of Kelenic, Acuña, and the manager, Brian Snitker. While it highlights Acuña’s viewpoint on a perceived double standard, it also provides context from Snitker’s past decisions, offering a balanced view of the situation. However, the article could benefit from more input from the Braves' management or other team members to provide a fuller picture of the team's dynamics and decision-making processes. The focus is primarily on the controversy, which may overshadow other relevant aspects of the team's performance and strategy.

8
Clarity

The article is written in clear and straightforward language, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. The structure is logical, with the sequence of events and the controversy laid out in a coherent manner. The use of subheadings and direct quotes helps maintain reader engagement and clarity. However, the inclusion of more detailed explanations regarding the implications of Kelenic's performance on his demotion could enhance understanding for readers less familiar with baseball.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on internal team sources and past incidents to build its narrative. It references Acuña's social media activity and historical incidents with reasonable credibility. However, it lacks direct quotes from team officials or players beyond Acuña's deleted post. The reliance on Fox News Digital as the primary source may limit the breadth of perspectives and depth of insight. Incorporating more diverse sources, such as interviews with sports analysts or other team members, could enhance the article's reliability.

7
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the events and the basis for the claims made, particularly in recounting the incident involving Kelenic and the historical context with Acuña. However, it could be more transparent about the methodology used to gather information, such as whether attempts were made to contact team officials for comments. The lack of explicit acknowledgment of potential biases or conflicts of interest in reporting slightly diminishes transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/jarred-kelencic-braves-player-center-double-standard-call-out-ronald-acuna-jr-sent-down-triple-a
  2. https://www.si.com/mlb/no-one-comes-off-well-in-braves-three-pronged-drama
  3. https://www.mlb.com/news/ronald-acuna-jr-jarred-kelenic-social-media-post
  4. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/braves-sign-eddie-rosario-option-jarred-kelenic.html
  5. https://www.si.com/mlb/braves/brian-snitker-jarred-kelenic-ronald-acuna-mlb-news-rumors-ken-rosenthal