The Atlanta Braves made yet another blockbuster offseason addition, signing shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to address the concerns in the middle infield. Following this signing and the addition of outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, it is possible the franchise will not make another noteworthy addition to the lineup. While a move at designated hitter is still possible, there seems to be a lack of interest in a reunion with Marcell Ozuna, and the Braves already have four outfielders and two catchers who all have arguments for a place in the starting lineup.
With this in mind, let's take a look at how the lineup might look if the season started today. It is important to note that new manager Walt Weiss could shake up the lineup, leaving the exact order a bit of a mystery, but the makeup of the lineup is clear.
1. Ronald Acuña Jr.- RF
While the Braves played with putting the 2023 MVP in the third spot in the lineup at the end of last season, the leadoff role is obvious. You want your best player up to the plate as many times as possible, and the star outfielder provides you with incredible power and speed at the top of what has the potential to be one of the league's better lineups. There is zero reason to go in any other direction here.
2. Matt Olson-1B
Putting Olson back in the two spot makes sense, given the infielder's power and ability to find ways to get on base. Olson helping set the table is the right decision and continues the line of thinking of getting your best hitters to the plate as often as possible. Olson is coming off a great season, driving in 95 runs with 29 homers despite playing in a lineup that far too often dealt with injuries and underachieving veterans.
3. Austin Riley-3B
Speaking of underachieving veterans, the Braves have to get more from Riley in the 2026 season. The infielder cannot blame injuries for what was an infuriatingly inconsistent 2025 season. Now, the pressure is on to live up to expectations and be the power bat the Braves need sitting in the middle of the Atlanta lineup.
4. Drake Baldwin-DH
Putting the second-year catcher in the cleanup spot makes far too much sense coming off an incredible season. Baldwin is often argued to be Atlanta's best all-around hitter and showed why fans have such a high level of optimism around the young catcher. If both Murphy and Baldwin are kept on the roster, it seems likely we'll see a lot of Baldwin at the DH spot with the Braves unable to afford taking his bat out of the lineup.
5. Jurickson Profar-LF
Profar needs to redeem himself this season after being suspended for breaking the league's banned substance list. The outfielder missed much of 2025 and had an uneven offensive performance after his return. Still, Profar finished the year with respectable numbers and had a hot stretch that rivaled any of Atlanta's hitters. With this in mind, you give the switch-hitter a chance to slot up a bit higher in the Braves' lineup.
6. Ozzie Albies-2B
Exercising Albies' 2026 player option always made sense in hopes that the second baseman can put two years of struggles behind him. The once reliable hitter remains an incredible question mark and should be slotted in the 6th or 7th spot until he proves otherwise.
7. Ha-Seong Kim-SS
Re-signing Kim makes sure the Braves have a reliable glove in the infield and at least will have a bat capable of offering more than Orlando Arcia or Nick Allen have over the last two years. What version of Kim will show up remains a mystery, further pointing out just how much power Atlanta's middle infield has over whether this is one of the league's deeper lineups or simply average.
8. Sean Murphy-C
If the Braves aren't going to trade Murphy to make room for Baldwin, it makes sense to keep his bat in the lineup even after back-to-back years struggling to reach the Mendoza line. The elite defense and solid game calling are enough to keep the catcher in the team's plans even amid the offensive frustrations.
9. Michael Harris-CF
Everything about last season appeared to be an outlier for a hitter who was previously offering a consistent level of production. However, Harris was the league's worst hitter prior to the All-Star break and is going to need to win his way back up the lineup in the 2026 season. Something fans should expect to quickly happen for the talented hitter and incredible defender.