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Atlanta Braves: It’s time to shake up the lineup

By Jake Mastroianni

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Champion Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during the Grapefruit League spring training game at Champion Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Centerfielder Ronald  Acuna, Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves hits a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park on April 11, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Centerfielder Ronald  Acuna, Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves hits a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park on April 11, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

It’s an easy decision

Now ideally, I would love for Ronald Acuna Jr. to bat second in our lineup. I think that’s where you put your most dangerous hitter, and it gives him more protection with Freddie Freeman behind him.

But from everything we hear, Josh Donaldson pretty much demanded that he hit second, and so I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

And if that’s the case, then the obvious choice to bat leadoff is Ronald Acuna.

We saw how effective he can be leading off games there last year when he hit .328 with 19 home runs from the leadoff spot.

Now, being the leadoff hitter only really matters to start the game. After that, there is no guarantee he will start off the inning.

But my biggest reason for wanting Acuna to hit first or second is because he needs to come to the plate more frequently.

You go back to that Mets game on Thursday when he was left in the on-deck circle when the game ended. I’m just as confident in Freeman in that situation, but Ronald has been swinging the bat better lately.

I think maybe you still let Albies leadoff against lefties, but for the most part, Ronald needs to be hitting leadoff.

And we know Acuna is going to hit no matter where he’s at in the lineup. I just want to see him come to the plate more frequently.

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