“It’s attractive to have him on the prime of the order,” Weiss stated. “I actually like when a lineup turns over and there’s tooth straight away. In case you’re a pitcher, you’ve received to run via a gauntlet as quickly because the lineup turns over.”
Acuña was faraway from the leadoff spot final July, partly as a result of he wasn’t the identical stolen base menace he had been previously. His decreased aggression was a product of tearing his proper ACL in 2021 and his left ACL in ’24. However now that Acuña has had additional time to recuperate, his legs may as soon as once more develop into one in every of his nice weapons.
This isn’t to say Acuña will match the 73 steals he had throughout his historic 40/70 season in 2023. However the six stolen bases he has recorded via his first eight video games within the Venezuelan Winter League are a sign he’s feeling extra assured about his two surgically repaired knees.
If Acuña strikes to the leadoff spot, the place would the Braves bat Jurickson Profar, who had a .362 on-base proportion and .763 OPS over the 72 video games (334 plate appearances) he served as Atlanta’s leadoff hitter final yr?
Profar’s OBP signifies he might be an efficient desk setter if the Braves select to bat him leadoff and put Acuña within the third spot. However he’s not essentially the best choice.
Acuña struggled in 2022 when he returned from his first knee surgical procedure, then took his recreation to an unimaginable stage in ’23. If the identical development holds true, final yr’s outcomes might need simply set the stage for the 27-year-old outfielder to have one other monstrous season.
Even when Acuña isn’t as unimaginable as he was throughout his ridiculous 2023 season, he nonetheless has an opportunity to be one of many recreation’s most dynamic leadoff hitters. The 1.012 OPS he produced as a leadoff hitter in ’23 is the fourth-highest mark by any participant with no less than 500 plate appearances within the lineup’s first spot.
The three increased marks had been produced by Mookie Betts (1.083 in 2018), Shohei Ohtani (1.022 in ’25) and Rickey Henderson (1.018 in 1990).
Listed here are a couple of different fascinating tidbits from Weiss’ assembly with media members on the Winter Conferences on Tuesday.
Is Weiss tempted to maneuver Reynaldo López again to a reduction position?“Not a lot tempted, but it surely’s a pleasant fallback plan,” Weiss stated. “I get these similar questions on Grant Holmes. These guys shall be constructed up as starters in Spring Coaching. But it surely’s very nice to know that no matter – due to acquisitions, due to well being or any person hastily steps up and opens your eyes – it is good to know these guys can [be relievers]. They’ve carried out it earlier than, they usually’ve been actually good at it. However sitting right here at the moment, we’re them as starters.”
Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach are focused to fill the rotation’s first three spots. López is at present slotted into the fourth spot. Holmes, Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz and Hurston Waldrep are fifth starter candidates. Holmes, Elder and Wentz are out of choices. So if there’s a have to protect depth, Waldrep may start the season with Triple-A Gwinnett.
As a former shortstop, what are Weiss’ ideas about Mauricio Dubón probably being the Braves’s on a regular basis shortstop?“[Dubón] protects us in a wide range of methods as a result of he can play everywhere in the discipline,” Weiss stated. “It is plus protection all over the place he goes. However he can play shortstop, and as we sit right here at the moment, he is operating out to shortstop. Issues can change. We all know [Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos] is at all times working. However I’ve no downside with Dubón enjoying shortstop.”
Ha-Seong Kim stays an choice to be the Braves’ shortstop. However his market seemingly received’t develop till Bo Bichette indicators with a group.
