Atlanta Bravesthird basemanAustin Riley is in his eighth MLB season, all with Atlanta. He is a two-time All-Star, making the roster in 2022 and 2023.
Since then, he has had an unfortunate turn in his career. Across 2024 and 2025, Riley only managed to play in 212 games, about 65% of his team’s schedule. A broken right hand in 2024 and core surgery in 2025 required him to miss large chunks of those seasons.
As for on-field production, Riley was not quite himself. He slashed .245/.316/.445 (.761 OPS) with 35 home runs and 110 RBIs over 916 plate appearances. While still above-average numbers, they paled in comparison to his 2021-23 peak.
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For 2026, Riley has managed to stay healthy, appearing in all 98 of the club’s contests. However, his hitting statistics have dropped even further overall. He has only a .217 batting average and .657 OPS, both career-lows.
Right when the Atlanta fans were reaching their boiling point with the 29-year-old’s production, he started to hit. Since July 4, Riley has slugged .578 with 13 hits.
This recent hot streak has been enough for manager Walt Weiss to move him back up to the cleanup spot in the order. He had been batting in the 6th or 7th hole for some time now.
Monday’s game against the San Diego Padres will pit the Braves against the lefty JP Sears. He has been minimally effective in four games this season, posting a 5.03 ERA in 19 ⅔ innings pitched.
Riley’s numbers versus left-handers this year have actually been worse than versus right-handers. However, his career averages suggest the opposite.
It is Riley’s first game since May 18 in the cleanup spot, suggesting that the Braves really like what they have seen from him during July. During the team’s first series out of the break versus the Texas Rangers, Riley went 6-for-12 with three home runs.
He will try to keep it rolling against the Padres during the first of a four-game set, and prove that he belongs back at his usual spot in the order.
