The Atlanta Braves have declared that Ronald Acuña Jr. will resume his role as their leadoff hitter when the 2026 MLB season gets underway. Manager Walt Weiss made this announcement during spring training activities in North Port, Florida, underscoring the team’s efforts to finalize their batting lineup ahead of the season start.
Weiss shared insights into the decision-making process before an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins, highlighting the discussion he had with Acuña regarding his preferred spot in the order. Weiss stated,
“I won’t say the decision was easy, because you can make a case for Acuña to hit one, two or three.”
He added,
“I wanted to make sure I had a conversation with him, too. What does he really want to do? And he loves leading off. And I love that he sets the tone right out of the gate.”
Acuña’s Proven Success as a Leadoff Hitter
Returning to the leadoff position aligns with Acuña’s history of outstanding performance at the top of the order. In his last full healthy season in 2023, he achieved an impressive 1.012 OPS as a leadoff hitter, ranking as the fourth-best among all players with a minimum of 500 plate appearances in that role.
Recovery and Progress from 2025 Season Challenges
The 2025 season presented challenges for Acuña due to his rehabilitation from ACL surgery, causing him to miss almost two months. After making his season debut in late May, he quickly demonstrated his skill with three home runs over his first eight games. Despite a midseason calf injury, Acuña finished the year strong, compiling 21 home runs, nine stolen bases, 42 RBIs, and 74 runs scored across 95 games. His batting line stood at a solid .290 average with an on-base percentage of .417 and slugging of .518.
While his nine stolen bases reflect a reduction compared to the 73 steals recorded in 2023, this was a cautious approach as he continued to recover from knee surgery. He is expected to ramp up his base-stealing efforts in the 2026 season.
Weiss emphasized Acuña’s natural fit at leadoff, stating,
“It’s become part of Acuña’s identity, that leadoff spot. He’s been really, really good at it.”
Adjusting the Rest of the Braves Lineup
Though Acuña’s placement atop the order is confirmed, the remainder of the Braves lineup is still under development. In a recent spring training game, Weiss tested a batting order that featured Drake Baldwin hitting second, followed by Matt Olson, Jurickson Profar, and Austin Riley. Weiss expressed his flexibility on lineup choices, saying,
“There’s many schools of thought when it comes to lineup construction. I’ve probably gone down every rabbit hole as it relates to that. I’m going to watch it play out this spring, and I’m not going to be married to any one lineup.”
Particularly, the Braves are observing how left-handed hitters Baldwin and Olson perform consecutively against left-handed relief pitchers. Both hitters posted strong numbers against southpaw pitching last year, with Baldwin achieving an .818 OPS and Olson posting a .792 OPS in 2025.
Additionally, Weiss highlighted the strategic importance of the ninth spot in the batting order, referring to it as a potential “second leadoff” position. Michael Harris II is a candidate for this role, which could generate additional scoring opportunities and enhance Acuña’s impact at the top of the lineup.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Now 28 years old, Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return to the leadoff role signals the Braves’ belief in his readiness to lead their offense following his recovery. After a disappointing 76-win season in 2025, Atlanta is optimistic that their superstar outfielder can help propel them back into National League East contention. The Braves will kick off their 2026 campaign on March 27 against the Kansas City Royals, with Acuña once again taking his place as the team’s offensive catalyst from the first pitch.
