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

Austin Riley slowed down in the second half, but his bat and glove are awesome

Austin Riley rakes! Everybody knows that. Riley was incredible for the Braves in what was his true breakthrough season. Although he cooled off considerably after inking a massive extension, the absolute tear he went on after he was initially snubbed from the All-Star Game was nothing short of incredible. In the last three seasons, Riley is proving he is one of the game’s best third basemen.

Riley does not have to live up to Chipper Jones, but he certainly has the traits you would want out of a perennial All-Star candidate at the hot corner. His power from the right side is phenomenal, as is the clutch gene he possesses at the plate. Riley has worked incredibly hard on his defense and plays up to the level of his teammates across the diamond. Atlanta has a superstar over at third.

If Riley has protection around him in the lineup, he will put up some extraordinary numbers again.

Getting a healthy Ozzie Albies back at second base changes the entire dynamic

Outside of what Acuña can get to at his absolute apex, Ozzie Albies is probably the most important piece in the Atlanta lineup, day in and day out. His glove at second base speaks for itself, but it is the power from both sides of the plate and the disciple he possesses makes him an All-MLB team contender every single season. The guy just has to stay healthy. He had a rough 2022…

After breaking his foot stumbling out of the plate, Albies later broke his thumb sliding into second right after coming off the IL. Brittle bones be damned, Albies can hit pretty much anywhere in the top half of the Atlanta batting order. His inherent versatility will give Braves skipper Brian Snitker the flexibility he needs to find the right mix here. What we think is the best lineup may not be that.

Having a full-healthy Albies back will give the Braves one of the hardest lineups to try to navigate.