The Braves will use a pair of leadoff men, depending on matchups, manager Brian Snitker confirmed before Thursday’s season opener against the Phillies.
Ender Inciarte will get the nod against right-handers, while Ozzie Albies will lead off against lefties. Ronald Acuna, who took the world by storm at leadoff in the second half of 2018, will hit cleanup.
“Wherever you put Ronald – if you put him at leadoff, he’ll be the best leadoff hitter on the team,” Inciarte said. “If you put him at fourth, he’ll be the best 4-hole hitter on the team. So it doesn’t matter where you put him in the order, he’s still going to be that good.”
Inciarte had a tough first half against lefties in 2018, though he rebounded to actually produce a better average versus southpaws than righties (.268 against .264). Still, Inciarte – two years removed from a 200-hit season at leadoff – likely will handle those duties for a major chunk of the season.
Albies hit .335/.357/.548 in 188 at-bats against southpaws last season. He possesses the dynamic qualities – speed and surprising power – that make him an intriguing fit at leadoff.
The Braves saw the most value in Acuna hitting fourth, where he’ll fit snuggly into run-producer duties. Between the leadoff man and Acuna will be Josh Donaldson and Freddie Freeman, two seasoned offensive stars.
