What Braves lineup will look like without Freddie Freeman in it

The Atlanta Braves will have several interesting ways of reshaping its lineup without Freddie Freeman as a massive part of it.

While the Freddie Freeman era is over, the Atlanta Braves still have one of the most dangerous and versatile lineups in all of baseball.

For years, Freeman hit either second or third while manning first base. He provided power and a high batting average from the left side of the plate, as well as Gold Glove-caliber defense. While his replacement in Matt Olson has more raw power and a slicker glove, he does not hit for as high of an average as his first base predecessor. Naturally, the Braves’ batting order will look different.

With the DH now being universal, it allows even more lineup flexibility for manager Brian Snitker.

Atlanta Braves potential starting lineup without Freddie Freeman in it

1. RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. LF Eddie Rosario
3. 2B Ozzie Albies
4. 1B Matt Olson
5. DH Marcell Ozuna
6. 3B Austin Riley
7. CF Adam Duvall
8. C Travis d’Arnaud
9. SS Dansby Swanson

Admittedly, there are so many variations Snitker could employ offensively. Though the outfield positions could be altered depending on potential defensive issues in center long-term (Adam Duvall should suffice in the interim), the infield will be set, as well as a handful of places where each hitter could bat. Expect for Ronald Acuña Jr. to lead off and for Dansby Swanson to hit last.

Because Snitker likes to alternate handedness, a lineup could look very different than the one above. Olson and Eddie Rosario are the only true lefties, while Ozzie Albies is a switch hitter. Everybody else hits from the right side. Rosario and Albies could hit anywhere from second to sixth. Olson would hit fourth or fifth. Marcell Ozuna and Austin Riley are middle of the order guys.

Though backstop Travis d’Arnaud could hit as high as third, he could hit as low as ninth. He provides perhaps the greatest flexibility as to where Snitker can place his former Silver Slugger from the right side. With Swanson being a guy hitting in the lower half of the batting order, it just illustrates how unbelievably deep this lineup is. Swanson could hit fifth on many excellent teams.

Look for the lineups to be different throughout the season until Snitker can find the right order.