Walt Weiss may have provided an early glimpse into the Atlanta Braves’ regular season plans, unveiling a lineup Sunday that could offer insight into how the order will look once the games begin to count. While much of the focus in camp has centered on the pitching staff, a lingering question has been how the Braves' first-year manager intends to structure his everyday lineup.
For the spring home opener, Weiss unveiled a lineup that could closely mirror the one he intends to use once the games move to Truist Park. Superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. returned to his customary spot atop the order, but the batters that followed signaled a departure from the approach Brian Snitker typically employed. Here’s the Braves’ lineup for Sunday’s game against the Twins:
- Ronald Acuña Jr.
- Drake Baldwin
- Matt Olson
- Jurickson Profar
- Austin Riley
- Ozzie Albies
- Michael Harris II
- Aaron Schunk
- Mauricio Dubón
Weiss batting Drake Baldwin second could be a sign of things to come
This lineup closely resembles what the Braves could look like on Opening Day, with the most notable substitution being outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (who homered in his first at-bat on Saturday) in place of Aaron Schunk. While adjustments are inevitable over the course of the season, the top of the order should remain largely intact, barring injuries or extended slumps.
In recent years, it has become clear that Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson are Atlanta’s most potent bats when healthy. Yet for much of their time together, they were often separated in the lineup by the likes of Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and others. This season, it appears that reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin could be one of the many hitters entrusted with the pivotal role of hitting between the Braves’ two impact hitters.
Walt Weiss confirmed Ronald Acuna Jr. will be back in the leadoff spot this year. As for who will bat second, he'll get a feel for some options over the next few weeks. He says Baldwin and Olson hit LHPs well enough that he's open to putting them back-to-back.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 22, 2026
Weiss told reporters that he plans to use the next few weeks to gauge who might earn regular reps in the two-hole. The Braves’ manager also expressed confidence in batting Baldwin and Olson consecutively, noting both players’ effectiveness against left-handed pitching. Last season’s numbers support that strategy: Olson posted a .792 OPS versus LHP, while Baldwin finished with a .818 OPS against southpaws.
In today’s game, placing your best non-platoon-dependent hitters near the top of the order is smart, as starters are pitching fewer innings than ever. With Atlanta’s roster full of hitters capable of getting hot at any moment, keeping the lineup flexible and adaptable behind Ronald Acuña Jr. seems like a particularly effective strategy.
This lineup could further strengthen with the return of a currently injured Ha-Seong Kim. Overall, Weiss’s early experimentation provides a clear glimpse into his approach for the regular season: prioritize flexibility, maximize the team’s best hitters at the top, and create a lineup that can adapt to hot streaks and matchups. While the final Opening Day order may shift slightly, Sunday’s lineup offers a strong indication of the Braves’ offensive identity under their first-year manager.