Predicting the Opening Day starting lineup for the Atlanta Braves

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – MARCH 03: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves hits a double in the first inning against the Miami Marlins during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Champion Stadium on March 03, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Ender Inciarte

Most Braves fans understandably wanted to see the wunderkind Ronald Acuna in this spot, as he thrived in this role a season ago.

Nevertheless, it appears as though manager Brian Snitker is putting his faith in the Braves’ centerfielder to serve as the catalyst for the offense atop the lineup, as the last several spring training lineups have shown.

It’s not exactly new territory for Ender, and although he wasn’t the “favorite” for this position in the order among fans, he’s got the track record to indicate he could serve as a very solid alternative.

In 2016, he put up stellar numbers when leading off an inning: 197 plate appearances, a .346 batting average, and a whopping .396 on-base percentage (the most valuable stat a leadoff hitter should have).

2017 was also pretty good for Ender in the leadoff spot, with a .301 BA and a .351 OBP.

2018’s overall on-base percentage dropoff for Ender (down to .325) seems to be a slight deviation from his career norm as a hitter.

Per Fangraphs, his BABIP (batting average on balls in play), which has always played remarkably consistent (.329 in ’15, .329 in ’16, .339 in ’17) also indicates that he suffered from some poor hitter’s luck in 2018 (at least for his standards – .293 BABIP). A bounce-back year at the plate for Ender seems a legitimate possibility.

Maybe this won’t be a bad idea after all.

2. Josh Donaldson

Aaron Nola likely won’t have to wait long to face his new NL East adversary at the plate.

While the Braves proceeded with caution with Josh Donaldson earlier this spring, all signs point towards the new third baseman being ready and able to contribute to the Opening Day lineup.

Aside from the fact that recent spring training lineups have reflected this strategy, the 2-spot in the order makes way too much sense for Donaldson.

Sandwiching the Bringer of Rain’s powerful right-handed bat in between two lefties atop the order – and ahead of MVP-caliber bat Freddie Freeman – could prove highly effective for Atlanta.

A look at Donaldson’s career splits shows a common theme when focusing on his batting order positions:

Most home runs? Batting second in the order (106).
Highest on-base percentage? Second (.385).
Highest OPS? Wait for it…second (.941).

The man with a violent swing will be violently looking to club a lot of extra-base hits in 2019, more than likely originating from the two-hole of the order.

3. Freddie Freeman

Well, you knew this was coming.

No surprise here, as the Braves’ best overall hitter (or…at least the best left-handed hitter?) is the ideal candidate for the most optimal spot in the order for a run-producer.

Freddie Freeman has put up great numbers with the bat from the three-spot for the last several seasons now – an .890 OPS in over 3,000 at-bats from that position – and his presence in the lineup should only feel stronger in 2019 for one very simple reason.

He’s got some serious ammunition hitting around him in the order.

Aside from a short stint with Matt Kemp and a couple of seasons with Justin Upton 5-plus years ago, Freddie Freeman has never really had a true power threat to protect him in the lineup.

Certainly not in the prime of his career, which he is in now.

This year, he’s not only likely to have one of those legitimate threats ahead of him in the order (Donaldson), but behind him, too. Which brings us to Atlanta’s new cleanup man…

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