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Braves Weigh Moving Ronald Acuña Jr. Back to Leadoff Under New Manager Walt Weiss

Weiss calls the shift enticing, with a decision pending further evaluations.

Overview

  • Weiss told reporters the leadoff move is on his radar and said he likes the "teeth" at the top when the lineup turns over.
  • Acuña has six steals in his first eight Venezuelan Winter League games, an encouraging sign after two ACL surgeries.
  • After returning in May, Acuña spent much of 2025 batting third and posted a .290/.417/.518 line with 21 home runs in 412 plate appearances.
  • Atlanta missed the 2025 postseason, ending a seven-year streak, which heightens the stakes for lineup choices under Weiss.
  • The decision is not final, with Weiss planning to meet with Acuña and consider options such as Jurickson Profar’s on-base skills for the top spot.