What would a dream Braves starting lineup look like next season?

The Atlanta Braves may not have to do much differently at all to achieve their dream starting lineup for the 2023 MLB season.

After winning the NL East for the fifth straight season, the 2022 Atlanta Braves simply ran out of gas in October.

While overtaking the hated New York Mets for the division crown was nothing short of spectacular, we could all see this coming from a mile away. Atlanta was running on fumes by that point of the season, culminating in them losing three of four to the third-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. It is okay though, as the Phillies fell to the Houston Astros in the World Series in six…

With a slightly longer offseason than expected, here is what Atlanta’s starting lineup may look like.

What a dream Atlanta Braves starting lineup for 2023 MLB season could look like

A healthy Ronald Acuña Jr. in right field is just so hard to top batting leadoff

While Ronald Acuña Jr. has become the most polarizing player on the team in recent years, there is no denying his talent. Atlanta may have won the 2021 Fall Classic without him due to him tearing his ACL right before the All-Star Game, but anyone in their right mind knows he raises this team’s ceiling with his five-tool play. A full offseason to get healthy will be the best thing for everybody.

Acuña had to grind through a slog of a season on a not-quite-right knee. Having the universal DH allowed for his bat to be in the lineup more often than not, but Atlanta needs his Gold Glove-caliber defense in right field to be at its apex. Should he approach his pre-injury blazing speed, the Braves will be getting back a perennial 30-30 candidate in the leadoff spot from over in right field.

Acuña is the type of player who can impact the game in every facet whenever he is in the lineup.