Braves Shuffle Lineup, Drop Ronald Acuña Jr. to Sixth in Hopes of Reigniting Slumping Star
The Atlanta Braves opened their weekend series against the Seattle Mariners with a win on Friday, but heading into Saturday’s game, manager Brian Snitker made a bold move aimed at jumpstarting his star player. In an effort to shake Ronald Acuña Jr. out of a prolonged slump, Snitker adjusted the batting order—shifting Jurickson Profar to the leadoff spot and moving Acuña Jr. down to sixth in the lineup.
Acuña, typically among the most dominant leadoff hitters in all of Major League Baseball, has been hampered by injuries throughout the 2025 season. While his overall performance has still been solid—good enough to earn an All-Star selection—the lingering effects of those physical setbacks have clearly affected his consistency and power at the plate. Compounding the issue is a Braves offense that has struggled collectively, contributing to the team’s slide toward the bottom of the standings.
In contrast, the Mariners come into the series with much more on the line. Seattle is still in the playoff hunt, and each game in this series could be critical to their postseason chances. Meanwhile, Atlanta has shifted its focus to the future, with hopes of bouncing back in 2026.
Despite their current position, the Braves still view Acuña Jr. as their offensive catalyst. By dropping him lower in the batting order—something he hasn’t experienced since his rookie year in 2018, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic—the team hopes to ease some of the pressure on the outfielder and allow him to regain his rhythm.
“Slumping Acuña batting sixth today. He’s had 10 previous starts in the sixth spot, all in his rookie season in 2018,” O’Brien noted.
Jurickson Profar, who has shown flashes of offensive prowess this season, steps into the leadoff role for the first time. Although it’s a new position for Profar in 2025, the move reflects a necessary gamble from Snitker, who is determined to find a way to help Acuña rediscover his All-Star form.
If Acuña’s struggles at the plate continue, it’s possible he could remain in the middle of the lineup for the rest of the season. However, if this change helps him regain momentum, he could quickly return to the leadoff spot, where he’s long been one of the league’s most feared hitters.
Ultimately, as Acuña goes, so do the Braves. The team chose not to make major roster changes at the trade deadline, signaling their belief that the 2025 season is an exception rather than the beginning of a trend. If they’re right, and if Acuña finds his swing again, Atlanta could return to form in 2026 with their core intact and re-energized.
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