How do you ascend when you already sit atop the throne? The 2023 Atlanta Braves offense set so many records we began to lose track. They tied the MLB single-season home run record (307), and set the record for team slugging percentage in a single season (.501) en route to their 104-win year. How could they possibly improve that?
Well, to start, Atlanta's lineup is filled with young position players who may not have even reached their full potential yet. Next, there is a vacant spot in left field that could host a more productive everyday player in 2024. Lastly, there is a sneaky infield position that could be upgraded if the Braves have the opportunity presented to them.
And while this article is about a "dream" Braves lineup, we are going to keep this within the realm of possibility. Meaning, as badly as I want Shohei Ohtani in Atlanta, the realistic part of me is going to keep him out of this potential lineup. If all things break the way Atlanta hopes, then this lineup below could be the result.
Ronald Acuña Jr. - Right Field
Although there will be a couple of differences between this projected lineup and the 2023 lineup, there will be no difference at the top. In fact, if you were to ask the other 29 MLB teams who their dream leadoff hitter is, I am certain reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. would be a popular answer.
Coming off unanimous MVP honors, RAJ is one of the most feared hitters in the league, full stop. No plausible scenario for the Braves could result in anything other than Acuña Jr. leading off once again in 2023. How do you possibly improve from the only 40/70 season in MLB history? How about 50/75, anyone? I don't put anything out of the realm of possibility for Ronald.
Ozzie Albies - Second Base
The spark plug second baseman for the Braves may not be your prototypical, high OBP two-hole hitter, but sometimes it's a matter of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The idea of Ozzie protecting Matt Olson with his elite right-handed bat is a sound form of logic.
However, Albies and Acuña Jr. have an amazing power-speed combo to immediately strike fear into any starting pitcher. Meanwhile, Riley and Olson had the second-most instances of back-to-back home runs in a single season since 1961, per Sarah Langs.
Austin Riley - Third Base
Sometimes lost in the shuffle of the offensive dominance from 2023 is the steady bat of Austin Riley. Since his breakout 2021 campaign, Riley has posted three straight 30+ homer, 90+ RBI, and 127 wRC+ or better seasons. Hence why he has earned top-seven MVP honors each year since 2021.
In a turn of events, Riley’s defense improved so much that he graded as positive defender for the first time in his career. His 5.2 fWAR in 2023 makes him a staple in the half of the Atlanta order for years to come.