The Atlanta Braves might have given us an early peek into their regular-season plans, thanks to Walt Weiss's lineup choices on Sunday. As the Braves' new manager, Weiss is tasked with shaping the everyday lineup, a topic that has generated plenty of buzz alongside the team's pitching prospects.
In the spring home opener, Weiss rolled out a lineup that could very well resemble what we’ll see at Truist Park when the games start to count. Ronald Acuña Jr. reclaimed his familiar leadoff position, but the order that followed was a departure from Brian Snitker’s typical setup. Here’s how the Braves lined up against the Twins:
- Ronald Acuña Jr.
- Drake Baldwin
- Matt Olson
- Jurickson Profar
- Austin Riley
- Ozzie Albies
- Michael Harris II
- Aaron Schunk
- Mauricio Dubón
A key takeaway here is Baldwin batting second, potentially signaling a new strategy for the Braves. While Mike Yastrzemski, who made a splash with a homer on Saturday, might replace Schunk, the top of the order seems set, barring any injuries or prolonged slumps.
Acuña Jr. and Olson are undoubtedly the Braves' heavy hitters, and their placement in the lineup is crucial. In past seasons, players like Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley often separated them. This year, Baldwin, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, might be the one bridging that gap.
Weiss has confirmed Acuña Jr. will lead off this year, but the second spot remains flexible. Over the coming weeks, he plans to evaluate his options. Baldwin and Olson have shown they can handle left-handed pitching well, with Olson posting a .792 OPS and Baldwin an .818 OPS against southpaws last season.
In today’s game, having your top hitters near the top of the order is a smart move, especially as starters are pitching fewer innings. The Braves’ lineup is stacked with players who can catch fire at any time, so maintaining flexibility behind Acuña Jr. is a solid strategy.
With Ha-Seong Kim expected to return from injury, the lineup could become even more formidable. Weiss’s early experimentation suggests a clear approach for the season: keep the lineup adaptable, maximize top hitters, and adjust to matchups and hot streaks. While the Opening Day lineup might see minor tweaks, Sunday’s game gave us a strong sense of the Braves’ offensive identity under Weiss.