The much anticipated 2022 debut for Ronald Acuna Jr. is here and he’ll bat leadoff for the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night.
Ever since the Atlanta Braves star right fielder went down last July, we’ve been anxiously waiting for the return of Ronald Acuna Jr.
While going through a World Series run was incredible, it was hard to sit there and not be able to see the best young player on the planet take part in the action.
But the wait is over as the Braves activated him early Thursday morning.
And now we have our first look at the lineup with Acuna in it.
Braves New Look Roster with Ronald Acuna Jr.
He's back!#ForTheA: https://t.co/FlpYwUgf5E pic.twitter.com/q2eOjz9Ky8
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 28, 2022
Obviously, Acuna goes back into his spot atop the batting order where he has thrived — he’ll thrive anywhere.
But having that spark at the top of the order will strike fear into starting pitchers from the first pitch of the game.
This will set up more RBI opportunities for Matt Olson and Austin Riley behind him.
Speaking of Olson, he remains in the two-hole as many thought he would. He’s done well there — no need to mess with what’s working.
Ozzie Albies moves down to the fifth spot, which is where he seems most comfortable. When batting fifth or sixth in a lineup, Ozzie is hitting .267 with a .342 on-base percentage. Leave him there — please.
That 1-6 is really tough, especially with the way Travis d’Arnaud has swung the bat this year. Having Ronnie at the top really just puts everything into place so much easier.
Now you have the bottom of the order starting to get on base more with Travis Demeritte and Dansby Swanson.
There are no more excuses for this offense — the players are there. It might take a minute for Acuna to get up to speed at the big leagues, but it’s time for this offense to start scoring runs in bunches again.