Braves projected lineup after trading for Joc Pederson

The Atlanta Braves plan to use Joc Pederson a ton this season after trading for him Thursday.

Though he is not getting the start on Friday night vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, the Atlanta Braves plan to use recently acquired outfielder Joc Pederson from the Chicago Cubs a ton for the rest of the 2021 MLB season.

With All-Star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. out of the year with a torn ACL, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos acted quickly to get a temporary replacement for him as the second half is underway. Atlanta had to give up its No. 12 prospect in first baseman Bryce Ball to land Pederson. With him being on an expiring contract, the Braves could flip Pederson again if they do fade in July.

Here is how the Braves plan to use Pederson and where he is expected to hit in their batting order.

Atlanta Braves projected lineup after Joc Pederson trade with Chicago Cubs

1. RF Joc Pederson
2. 1B Freddie Freeman
3. 2B Ozzie Albies
4. 3B Austin Riley
5. LF Orlando Arcia
6. SS Dansby Swanson
7. CF Guillermo Heredia
8. C Kevan Smith/Jonathan Lucroy

Atlanta plans to have Pederson completely fill in for Acuña, as he will be batting leadoff and playing in right field in most games. This makes things a tad easier for skipper Brian Snitker when it comes to filling out a lineup card. Expect him to go with Pederson and his two All-Star infielders in first baseman Freddie Freeman and second baseman Ozzie Albies one, two, three most nights.

Third baseman Austin Riley would man the cleanup spot with new left fielder Orlando Arcia and shortstop Dansby Swanson filling out the middle of the order. Centerfielder Guillermo Heredia will likely bat seventh with Kevan Smith or even Jonathan Lucroy hitting eighth and being behind the plate. Of course, that all may change once injured backstop Travis d’Arnaud returns in a few weeks.

Pederson has huge shoes to fill replacing Acuña, but he can make the most of it in a contract year.