Here's how the Braves' lineups could look

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- If you forgot how little should be made of lineup constructions during Spring Training, then read Braves manager Brian Snitker’s reasoning for placing Dansby Swanson in the leadoff spot for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Twins at CoolToday Park.

“Dansby is leading off today so that he can get his three at-bats and doesn’t have to stand in the infield for seven innings,” Snitker said.

In other words, Swanson has earned the veteran privilege of getting his work done and leaving the Spring Training complex long before a game has concluded. You won’t be seeing him in the leadoff spot once the regular season comes around. That spot will ultimately be reserved for Ronald Acuña Jr. But with Acuña set to miss all of April while completing his recovery from a torn right ACL, the lineup could assume some different looks during the season’s first month.

When the Braves are facing a right-handed starter, expect Eddie Rosario to be in the leadoff spot, a role he capably handled while thriving during last year’s postseason. Ozzie Albies was productive when batting third and fourth last year. But the switch-hitting second baseman may begin this season batting second, which would place him between two left-handed hitters, Rosario and Matt Olson.

This could be a beneficial arrangement, especially with the rule that requires a pitcher to face a minimum of three batters or pitch until the conclusion of an inning.

“I kind of like sandwiching Ozzie between those lefties,” Snitker said. “That way if they want to pop a lefty [reliever], then [Albies] gets a right-handed at-bat. I like having him behind a left-hander."

Braves' potential lineup vs. a right-handed starter

1. Eddie Rosario, L, RF
2. Ozzie Albies, S, 2B
3. Matt Olson, L, 1B
4. Austin Riley, R, 3B
5. Marcell Ozuna, R, LF
6. Adam Duvall, R, CF
7. Alex Dickerson, L, DH
8. Dansby Swanson, R, SS
9. Travis d’Arnaud, R, C

One immediate reason for concern might be created by the fact Ozuna is slated to play left field. Ozuna is a below average defensive player with very little arm strength. But Dickerson has even less range. So, until Acuña returns during May’s first week, the Braves might be frequently using Guillermo Heredia as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Each of the first six spots of this projected lineup possess a hitter who has tallied at least one 30-homer season within the past three years. Swanson, who belted 27 homers last year, could be utilized at different spots throughout the lineup.

Braves' potential lineup vs. a left-handed starter

1. Ozzie Albies, S, 2B
2. Matt Olson, L, 1B
3. Austin Riley, R, 3B
4. Marcell Ozuna, R, DH
5. Adam Duvall, R, RF
6. Eddie Rosario, L, LF
7. Dansby Swanson, R, SS
8. Travis d’Arnaud, R, C
9. Guillermo Heredia, R, CF

Albies’ career .947 OPS against left-handed pitchers makes him a great candidate to fill the leadoff spot. Deciding who to place in the second spot wasn’t as easy. I ended up going with Olson, who produced a .962 OPS against lefties last year. The new first baseman is somebody whose value isn’t hurt by left vs. left matchups. As for the inclusion of Heredia, the .330 on-base percentage he tallied against lefties last year seems to be enough to justify improving the outfield defense by putting him in center when opponents start a lefty.

Braves' projected lineup when Acuña returns

1. Ronald Acuña Jr., R, RF
2. Matt Olson, L, 1B
3. Austin Riley, R, 3B
4. Marcell Ozuna, R, DH
5. Ozzie Albies, S, 2B
6. Eddie Rosario, L, LF
7. Adam Duvall, R, CF
8. Dansby Swanson, R, SS
9. Travis d’Arnaud, R, C

There will be a need to play Heredia occasionally to make sure Duvall doesn’t fatigue while playing center field on a daily basis. But this is a lineup the Braves could consistently use against both right-handed and left-handed starters. While batting fifth, Albies can serve as both a middle-of-the-lineup run producer and a table setter for the talent-laden bottom of the lineup.