Predicting the Atlanta Braves Opening Day lineup

Atlanta Braves Opening Day lineup: Sean Murphy bolsters bottom of the order

Because Sean Murphy has never quite hit for average or ridiculous numbers, there were people who have come after me about the notion that he’s an early All-Star candidate in the 2023 season at catcher. But the limited sample size from the spring validated my feelings on that.

With far more protection in the lineup than he’s ever had, Murphy posted an .823 OPS with one home run (a mammoth shot) and two doubles in only 31 total at-bats. That’s pop and solid on-base numbers for Murphy, who could become a star after this season. The newcomer should get the Opening Day nod at catcher and get the show started.

Left field was always going to be an area that was circled to try and figure out in the spring, but the truth of the matter is that no one truly separated themselves in a meaningful way. It seems like veteran Eddie Rosario is most likely to get the first crack over guys like Jordan Luplow and Sam Hilliard. Having said that, a disastrous 2022 campaign for Rosario at the pate has to be top-of-mind after he hit only .214 in 28 at-bats this spring. His experience will get him in the lineup out of the gate, but if those struggles at the plate continue, Snitker will start to shuffle things up.

The day that the Atlanta Braves optioned Vaughn Grissom and ostensibly named Orlando Arcia the team’s starting shortstop with Swanson now gone saw a lot of hate thrown the way of Arcia. He responded by finishing the spring extremely strong at the plate and helping to quell any concerns that the organization didn’t know what they were doing.

Arcia ended spring training with a 1.011 OPS to go with three home runs and nine RBI to his total. With his steady defensive hand as well, he’s proven he earned the job and could be a dangerous bat at the bottom of the order to help turn it around to the superstars at the top.