2. Philadelphia Phillies
1. Kyle Schwarber - Designated Hitter - .223/.349/.489, 42 HR, 91 RBI, 6 SB
2. Trea Turner - Shortstop - .278/.331/.455, 22 HR, 83 RBI, 25 SB
3. Bryce Harper - First Base - .283/.389/.519, 30 HR, 97 RBI, 13 SB
4. Nick Castellanos - Right Field - .260/.308/.446, 24 HR, 90 RBI, 7 SB
5. J.T. Realmuto - Catcher - .251/.318/.438, 18 HR, 63 RBI, 13 SB
6. Bryson Stott - Second Base - .267/.327/.414, 15 HR, 67 RBI, 20 SB
7. Alec Bohm - Third Base - .276/.331/.433, 18 HR, 76 RBI, 4 SB
8. Brandon Marsh - Left Field- .246/.329/.396, 12 HR, 55 RBI, 10 SB
9. Johan Rojas - Center Field - .252/.300/.383, 7 HR, 38 RBI, 19 SB
Not much has changed for Philadelphia heading into 2024. Their everyday lineup will pretty much consist of the same group that has led them to back to back NLCS appearances. Philadelphia pretty much has everything you want in a great lineup. There's star power at the top, athleticism in the middle, and depth at the bottom.
If we were making a top lineups in all of baseball list, the Phillies would comfortably be top five. However, that isn't enough to overtake our next team in the NL East rankings. We know Philadelphia has out-hit the Braves in the last two NLDS showdowns, but it's going to take big years from the whole lineup to close that regular season gap and compete for the division title with Atlanta.
1. Atlanta Braves
1. Ronald Acuna Jr. - Right Field - .318/.404/.576, 38 HR, 100 RBI, 56 SB
2. Ozzie Albies - Second Base - .276/.332/.491, 29 HR, 94 RBI, 13 SB
3. Austin Riley - Third Base - .275/.347/.514, 35 HR, 109 RBI, 3 SB
4. Matt Olson - First Base - .268/.371/.542, 40 HR, 112 RBI, 1 SB
5. Marcell Ozuna - Designated Hitter - .255/.323/.481, 31 HR, 92 RBI, 1 SB
6. Michael Harris II - Center Field - .290/.337/.490, 23 HR, 85 RBI, 22 SB
7. Sean Murphy - Catcher - .248/.341/.458, 17 HR, 55 RBI, 1 SB
8. Jared Kelnic - Left Field - .244/.321/.439, 18 HR, 63 RBI, 13 SB
9. Orlando Arcia - Shortstop - .250/.316/.414, 17 HR, 62 RBI, 3 SB
Bias of this website aside, if you were to survey 100 knowledgeable baseball fans, I think it would be nearly unanimously agreed upon that the Atlanta Braves have the best lineup in all of baseball. How could we justify the Braves anywhere else but first? Last season they lead MLB in team wRC+ (125), wOBA (.359), and as we mentioned set records in slugging and home runs.
Atlanta's lowest projected slugging percentage from starters is Orlando Arcia (.414), who is still projected to hit 17 homers at the bottom of the lineup. They have THREE different players projected to slug at least .514, and it all starts with the reigning NL MVP at the top.
The difference this season is the presence of Jared Kelnic in left field rather than Eddie Rosario. These projections are often pessimistic, and the numbers still wow you. Whether or not this explosive offense is enough to lead them to another World Series title remains to be seen. However, one thing we know for sure is as long as these guys stay healthy, the Atlanta Braves will be the most feared lineup in not just the NL East, but all of Major League Baseball.