The second half of the Atlanta Braves’ 2025 season kicked off with a dominant win over the Yankees. The bats were alive and well, the energy was there, and it felt like the team was finally onto something this season.
If you looked a little closer, that wasn’t the usual Braves lineup taking the field. No, some familiar faces were playing very different roles—most notably, Ronald Acuña Jr. batting third and Jurickson Profar stepping into the leadoff spot. This isn’t just a temporary fix. This might be a permanent shift.
Riley’s Absence Opens the Door for Change
Why the shakeup? It starts with Austin Riley, who went down with an abdominal injury just before the break. Riley wasn’t lighting the world on fire earlier this season, but in July he was crushing it. A .919 OPS over 10 games, and suddenly it looked like Riley was heating up at exactly the right time. Then boom—injury. He’s out, the Braves pivot, and something interesting happens: the offense doesn’t miss a beat.
Riley gave an encouraging update on Friday. He says the injury is minor, the All-Star break gave him time for targeted treatment, and compared to last year’s oblique issue that cost him two weeks, this one’s a lighter load. All signs point to a relatively quick return.
Acuña Jr. Embracing the Power Role
But while Riley recovers, a storyline is unfolding that could have long-term implications. Ronald Acuña Jr., the guy fans have gotten used to seeing spark things from the top of the order, has been slotted in the #3 spot, and guess what? He likes it. After Friday’s win, Acuña said he “finally feels like a power hitter” again. That’s a big statement. And not the kind that just gets undone overnight.
Even Acuña himself thought Riley would return to the heart of the lineup, and he’d go back to his usual role. Seems reasonable, right?
Snitker Has Other Plans
Manager Brian Snitker threw a curveball of his own. He told reporters, “I kind of like [Acuña] there,” and added that he’s always thought of Acuña as a #3 hitter. That’s a notable departure from the past, especially considering how long it took Snitker to even embrace Acuña in the leadoff spot back in the day.
Oh, and about Riley? Snitker thinks he won’t mind hitting wherever he’s placed. That sounds like a coach who’s already reimagining the order—possibly for good.
A New Braves Identity for the Stretch Run?
So what are we looking at here? A lineup in transition? Or a blueprint for the second half?
If the Braves keep winning—and if Acuña thrives in that power slot—Snitker’s not going to be in any rush to tinker. And Riley, for all his potential impact, may find himself returning to a very different offensive structure than the one he left.
It’s not just about getting healthy anymore. It’s about who fits where in a team that may be finding its groove at the perfect time. If this current setup keeps delivering, don’t expect it to go anywhere.
