The Atlanta Braves lineup questions are already swirling, and we haven’t even hit the first full-squad workout. Every spring, fans speculate on how the batting order will shake out.
While the Braves are bringing back most of their regulars, there’s a bit of intrigue this year. With Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined for the first month as he rehabs his ACL, newcomer Jurickson Profar is stepping into the mix, and manager Brian Snitker wasted no time giving us a glimpse of his plan.
Where Does Jurickson Profar Fit?
Profar, Atlanta’s newest left fielder, is coming off a career year with the Padres. A Year where he finally broke out at age 31, posting a .280/.380/.459 slash line with a 134 OPS+.
The guy hit everywhere in the lineup last year—literally, everywhere. He saw action in the one-through-six spots, proving he’s as versatile as they come. That’s exactly why the Braves view him as a Swiss Army Knife for their lineup.
Profar Until Acuña Is Back In The Lineup
With Acuña temporarily out of commission, Snitker made it clear that Profar is a strong candidate to lead off. And why not?
He’s got solid on-base skills, draws walks at a high rate, and can set the table for Atlanta’s heavy hitters. If he does hit first, here’s how the Braves lineup could look on Opening Day:
- Jurickson Profar (LF)
- Ozzie Albies (2B)
- Austin Riley (3B)
- Matt Olson (1B)
- Marcell Ozuna (DH)
- Michael Harris II (CF)
- Sean Murphy (C)
- Jarred Kelenic/Bryan De La Cruz (RF)
- Orlando Arcia (SS)
Now, one of the biggest lineup questions revolves around Ozzie Albies. He’s hit second for most of his Braves career—368 times, to be exact—but some argue he might be better suited for a lower spot in the order.
If Snitker does decide to shuffle things up, we could see Austin Riley or even Marcell Ozuna in the two-hole, adding even more power early in the lineup.
The Braves Long-Term Plan
Once Acuña returns, it’s anyone’s guess where Profar settles in. The beauty of his skill set is that he can slot in almost anywhere—second, fifth, sixth—whatever the Braves need. Having a versatile bat like that is a luxury most teams would love to have.
For now, though, Profar looks like Atlanta’s Opening Day leadoff hitter. And if he can carry over his 2024 production, the Braves won’t miss a beat at the top of the order while they wait for their superstar to return.
