Austin Riley

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #1 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: In high school, Riley was a thick-bodied, strong-armed pitcher/third baseman. Because of Riley’s thick trunk and arm strength, most scouts viewed him as a pitching prospect, and he would have played both ways if he had made it to Mississippi State. But the Braves believed in his bat and his work ethic and drafted him as a hitter. Riley has cut out junk food and focused on conditioning as a pro. As a result, he has slimmed down and is more athletic and nimble. After hitting 20 home runs in his first full season and 20 again in 2017, he had to settle for 19 in 2018. He would have likely topped his previous career high if not for a knee injury he suffered at Triple-A Gwinnett when diving for a ball. He missed almost all of June and saw his power sapped for another month. But in August, he finished by hitting eight home runs in a 13-game stretch.
  
  Scouting Report: Riley’s plus-plus raw power has always been his best attribute. He has the potential to hit 25-30 home runs regularly in the majors. He has a pull-heavy approach when he gets into advantageous counts but has the strength and power to drive the ball out to right and right-center field. Riley’s approach leads to strikeouts, but he has always managed to stay on the right side of the line that separates free-swingers who can’t hit from those who hit enough to get to their power. Riley’s bat-to-ball skills give him a chance to be an average hitter to go with his excellent power. He’s shown an ability to make adjustments. His swing is now more direct to the ball, and he has sped up his hands as a pro. Defensively, Riley’s conditioning and work has helped him turn himself into a plus defender. His plus-plus arm is a key to his success at third base, but he also has developed the quick feet and quick hands scouts look for at third base. His quickness is more of the first-step variety because his raw speed is below-average and will likely get worse as he ages.
  
  The Future: Riley should factor in the Braves’ big league plans in 2019, but the emergence of Johan Camargo and the free agent signing of Josh Donaldson cloud the picture. The Braves could be patient and let Riley get additional time at Triple-A, but they have said he will get a look in the outfield at spring training.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #6 prospect in 2018
  Many teams saw Riley as a better pitching prospect than hitter coming out of high school. The Braves disagreed, believing in Riley's power. He's rewarded their faith by hitting 20 home runs in each of his first two full seasons while advancing to Double-A Mississippi at age 20 in 2017. Riley has embraced the Braves' focus on improving his nutritional habits. He appears slimmer, stronger and quicker than he was when drafted. He also has shortened his swing and improved his bat speed, helping him to more consistently get to his plus power potential and alleviating concerns about his now average hit tool. Riley's biggest improvement has come defensively. He has alleviated fears he would need to move to first base and is now an above-average third baseman. His plus-plus arm is still his calling card, but he also improved his first-step quickness. Riley headed to the Arizona Fall League, which will help prepare him for a move to Triple-A Gwinnett in 2018. Unless blocked by a future trade or free agent acquisition, Riley is the Braves' third baseman of the not-too-distant future.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #11 prospect in 2017
  Riley was a premier two-way player in high school who was considered more of a pitching prospect until the Braves took him 41st overall as a hitter. After a stellar debut in Rookie ball in 2015, Riley overcame a slow start in the South Atlantic League to help lead low Class A Rome to a championship while leading the organization in home runs (20) and ranking second in RBIs (80). His youth and inexperience showed early, when pitchers took advantage of his inability to hit pitches in on his hands, before he made an adjustment with his hitting setup that resulted in a more direct path to inside pitches. Riley barreled the ball consistently and reduced his strikeout rate after the adjustment, allowing him to tap into his double-plus raw power. He has plus arm strength at third base, but his hands are not particularly soft and he needs to improve on balls hit to his left. Some scouts believe he would be better served moving to first base or left field, the latter of which may be a stretch with his below-average speed. The Braves believe Riley can be an impact bat in the middle of the lineup. The primary question centers on which corner position he will play. A promotion to high Class A Florida awaits in 2017.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #6 prospect in 2016
  One of the top two-way players available in the 2015 draft, Riley was deemed more of a pitching prospect throughout most of his high school career. The Braves, however, liked his raw power and took him 41st overall as a position player. Riley proceeded to blitz two Rookie-level leagues and tie for second in the organization with 12 homers despite not playing until late June. Riley possesses above-average bat speed with the ability to lift the ball. He generates impressive raw power to all fields that led to 27 extra-base hits in 60 games. Despite striking out 26 percent of the time in his pro debut, Riley displays a good feel for the strike zone and barrels the ball with consistency. He has good athleticism for a jumbo frame and shows a solid feel for running the bases despite below-average speed. Riley moves well at third base, with good first-step quickness and average range, though he committed 16 errors in 53 games. He has plus arm strength with good accuracy on his throws after sitting around 90 mph on the mound. No player generated more enthusiasm from the Braves' 2015 draft class than Riley. Though his future may be at first base, he could be an impact bat at one of the four corner positions. He should begin the 2016 campaign at low Class A Rome.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #164 prospect in 2015 draft
  As one of the top two-way prospects in this year's draft class, Riley has presented a riddle for scouts to solve this spring. Entering the year, the prevailing opinion was leaning toward him becoming a pitcher as a professional. But he's done better as a hitter this season and more scouts have come around to see him as a future position player. Riley provides significant power in both positions. Listed at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, he produces good bat speed and has plus power potential. He has the arm strength for third base, but he'll always be offense over defense as a position player. On the mound, he can get his fastball up to 95 mph, but more typically sits 90-91. His breaking ball has average potential and he shows some feel for his changeup. While pro scouts deliberate how to potentially use Riley, there is no such debate at Mississippi State, where he is committed. He will continue to play both positions if he gets to Starkville.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #4 prospect in 2019
  Riley made a subtle change to his swing that allowed him to get his bat on plane quicker and longer, especially against high-velocity fastballs. The result was a scorching start to his season at Gwinnett and his first callup to Atlanta on May 15. He’s had his ups and downs in the big leagues, but he has shown premium power that will allow him to profile in left field, where he’s most played in deference to Josh Donaldson during his time with the Braves.
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  Ranked International League #4 prospect in 2018
  Riley drew raves from just about every angle after arriving in the IL in early May from Double-A. A month off with a right knee injury didn’t derail his prospects. Riley’s plus power blossomed with eight August home runs, and what drew attention was his power to all fields. He goes particularly well to right-center field, and he hit for average as well as power with consistent hard contact. “He’s what they look like,” Norfolk manager Ron Johnson said. “The way the ball jumps off the bat.” Riley is well built and gives scouts reason to believe that he might be ready for the major leagues sooner than they might have expected coming out of high school. In addition to his offensive skills, Riley displayed improved defense at third base. His 10 errors on the season were a career low, and Gwinnett manager Damon Berryhill labeled Riley’s defense “outstanding.”
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  Ranked Florida State League #6 prospect in 2017
  While Ronald Acuna and Luiz Gohara sped to Triple-A after starting the year with the Braves' new affiliate at Osceola County Stadium, Riley stuck around longer, playing 81 games for the Fire Frogs before being promoted to Double-A. He finished the season with 20 homers overall between the two levels. Power--at the plate and in the field, in the form of a plus-plus throwing arm--are Riley's calling cards. He's an aggressive hitter with surprising feel and a plan at the plate, with the strength to punish mistakes. He has plus raw power, and his power tool grades higher than his hitting ability because he has some swing-and-miss to his game. Defensively, Riley has requisite agility for third base and should be an average defense whose arm will be his greatest asset.
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  Ranked Southern League #6 prospect in 2017
  Like fellow Braves prospects Ronald Acuna and Luiz Gohara, Riley began the year at high Class A Florida before earning an in-season promotion to Mississippi. The powerfully built third baseman shined in the SL at age 20 and finished the season with 20 home runs for the second year in a row. Riley can demolish the ball when he barrels it with plus-plus raw power and impact in-game power. He hit some of the longest home runs in the league this season, though his power plays almost exclusively to his pull side. Riley began spraying the ball around the field later in the season and could develop an average hit tool. A two-way player in high school--many teams preferred him as a pitcher--Riley has committed to improving his lateral range and footwork at third base in pro ball. With a plus arm, good hands and surprising athleticism, he profiles as an average defender.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #13 prospect in 2016
  Rome went just 27-42 in the first half, but the Braves recorded the best record in the Southern Division in the second half, going 43-27. Riley was a big reason for that. He went from being an easy out in the first half to the league's most dangerous slugger in the second. Early in the season, Riley could be retired by pitchers who located or threw hard in on his hands. But he shortened his swing load and focused on a more direct, downward path from setup to the strike zone, which speed up his bat. That allowed him to start turning on inside fastballs and driving balls on the outer half the other way. Riley cut his strikeout rate from 32 percent to 22 percent while hitting 17 of his 20 home runs in the second half. Defensively, Riley is fringe-average at third base. His size and lack of reliability (he committed 30 errors) leave some to wonder if first base is a better fit, though he improved his angles to balls and has plenty of arm for the hot corner.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #10 prospect in 2015
  One of the top two-way prospects in this year's draft, Riley's future appeared to be on the mound until his work at the plate this spring convinced more scouts of his offensive potential. The Braves were higher than most on Riley, drafting him at No. 41 overall and signing him for $1.6 million. He quickly made that pick look astute by raking in both the GCL and the Rookie-level Appalachian League, hitting a combined 12 home runs. With a large, stocky build, Riley has plenty of strength and a quick bat to drive the ball with plus power. He uses the middle of the field and can go deep to any part of the park, with several home runs to straightaway center and multiple homers to the opposite field this season. He has a powerful swing geared for lifting the ball, so his thump comes with strikeouts. He doesn't chase too much, though, so his strike-zone knowledge should help amplify his on-base percentage. Riley has worked hard to get into better shape, and while he faces a possible move to first base, he played a solid third base in pro ball and showed a plus arm.
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  Ranked National League #2 prospect in 2015
  Riley showed off an enticing three-pitch mix on the high school showcase circuit, but he got into better shape this spring and made noise with the loud crack of his bat. Intrigued by his power potential, the Braves made Riley the 41st overall pick and signed him for $1.6 million. Defensively, Riley showed surprising upside at third base with Danville. He has adequate foot speed and guards the line well, though his range is closer to average. Riley flashes plus arm strength and shows the ability to get his feet into throwing position with controlled athleticism. Riley is a below-average runner. The more exposure Riley has had to high-level pitchers, the better he has performed, and he combined for 12 home runs in Rookie ball this year. At Danville, Riley struck out 21 percent of the time, more so due to the aggressive hacks he took rather than poor pitch selection. He has at least plus power, and he receives promising reviews for his makeup, both in terms of work ethic and ability to make adjustments.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #22 prospect in 2019
• Ranked Baseball America's #54 prospect in 2018

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Riley made a subtle change to his swing that allowed him to get his bat on plane quicker and longer, especially against high-velocity fastballs. The result was a scorching start to his season at Gwinnett and his first callup to Atlanta on May 15. He’s had his ups and downs in the big leagues, but he has shown premium power that will allow him to profile in left field, where he’s most played in deference to Josh Donaldson during his time with the Braves.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Riley hit his first speed bump this year when he didn’t take Triple-A by storm in his first month in Gwinnett. But more importantly, he missed a month with a bruised knee he suffered diving to try to make a catch. Riley’s disabled list stint (and Johan Camargo’s solid play) may slow down his Atlanta arrival, but he’s still a surprisingly good defender with plus power.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Many teams saw Riley as a better pitching prospect coming out of high school. The Braves disagreed, believing in Riley's power. He's rewarded their faith by hitting 20 home runs in each of his first two full seasons while advancing to Double-A Mississippi at age 20 in 2017. SCOUTING REPORT: Riley has embraced the Braves' focus on improving his nutritional habits. He appears slimmer, stronger and quicker than he was when drafted. He also has shortened his swing and improved his bat speed, helping him to more consistently get to his plus power potential and alleviating concerns about his now average hit tool. Riley's biggest improvement has come defensively. He has alleviated fears he would need to move to first base and is now an above-average third baseman. His plus-plus arm is still his calling card, but he also improved his first-step quickness. THE FUTURE: Riley headed to the Arizona Fall League, which will help prepare him for a move to Triple-A Gwinnett in 2018. Unless blocked by a future trade or free agent acquisition, Riley is the Braves' third baseman of the not-too-distant future.