Reynaldo Lopez inked a three-year deal with the Braves about a month ago. He adds some much-needed velocity and versatility to Atlanta’s bullpen, which now looks like one of the best in the league after a very good season this year. But it’s former 6th overall selection Jarred Kelenic that really seems like a player that could have the most substantial impact among this winter’s acquisitions.

Kelenic was originally drafted sixth overall by the Mets. Being selected that high in a city like New York comes with a lot of pressure, and that pressure only multiplied when he was included in a trade to the Mariners for star closer Edwin Diaz. Seattle is nothing like New York in terms of market size, but anytime you’re the centerpiece of a trade for an All-Star, there usually comes unrealistic expectations, which Kelenic hasn’t always handled the right way early on in his career.

In his first two seasons with the Mariners, Kelenic fell well short of living up to his lofty status as a prospect. He hit just .168 with 21 homers over 147 games, but things started to turn for him in year three, or so it seemed.

Jarred Kelenic hit .309 with seven homers and a .979 OPS in his first 28 games this season. However, that success wouldn’t last for much longer. He started reverting back to his old ways, and it all culminated with an incident in which he kicked a water cool out of frustration, resulting in a broken foot. It was at that point Kelenic realized things really needed to change if he wanted to continue his major-league dream.