The Atlanta Braves offense struggled during the month of June. In 23 games, Atlanta ranks 30th in runs scored (77), 30th in hits (161), 30th in home runs (19), 30th in batting average (.213) and 30th in OPS (.599), according to MLB.com.
Their spot in the standings has taken a hit as a result. Through June, the Braves went just9-14 and now sit at 49-34 on the season. While they still hold a lead in the National League East, the Philadelphia Phillies are closing in, just 2.5 games behind.
Among those struggling is third basemanAustin Riley. In Atlanta's Tuesday loss against the St. Louis Cardinals, he went 0-for-4 and struck out twice. The two-time All-Star has gone three straight games without a hit and is in an 0-for-11 slump.
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Since making his debut with the Braves in 2019, he has been a consistent piece of their lineup, and he's well aware something needs to change. After losing to the Cardinals, Riley spoke to 92.9 The Game's Grant McAuley and shared an honest assessment of his struggles at the plate.
“Personally, it hasn’t been good," Riley said. "It’s been terrible. Awful, Everything in between. You know, I’m just trying to figure it out, trying to get in a good position to be able to compete up there. Obviously, [I’m] not doing that right now. So, just trying to take it day-by-day and work every day with Tim [Hyers] and those guys, and in the cage. At some point, you would think it would start turning.”
As a career .808 OPS hitter, there's no doubt the Braves believe the 29-year-old can turn it around and become the same player who earned back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023. There's certainly a lot of room for improvement.
This season, Riley has accumulated 33 runs scored, 62 hits, eight home runs and 37 RBIs in 300 at-bats. He is also slashing .207/.286/.333 with a .619 OPS, all of which would be career lows if the season ended today.
In just his fourth season of a 10-year, $212 million contract, he isn't living up to the investment. While Atlanta's offense has struggled as a whole, the Braves need Riley to rediscover his approach at the plate before losing more ground in the standings.
