Austin Riley Development is Huge for Atlanta Braves
Austin Riley is heating up for the Braves.
The Atlanta Braves have started the 2026 season strong. Injuries were a problem in spring training, but the team has stepped up and overcome the injury adversity. Atlanta entered Friday night's contest against the Philadelphia Phillies in first place in the National League East with a 12-7 overall record.
One player who they have needed to step up, however, is third baseman Austin Riley. Riley has struggled for most of the season. It seems as if he may be heating up, however.
Riley hit another home run during Friday's Braves-Phillies game in Philadelphia, and it was his second long ball in his past four at-bats. Video via Mark Bowman: Riley's second homer in his past four at-bats going back to Wednesday. As Bryce Elder said, "when he starts driving balls to right-center, look out.
” pic. twitter. com/6lDJ8WJmDJ — Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 17, 2026 Riley still needs to develop more consistency overall, but he is clearly seeing the ball well right now.