Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley Has a Chance to Impress This Spring

The Atlanta Braves have announced their non-roster Spring Training invites. Third baseman Austin Riley was included, and will have a chance to put himself into the Braves’ long term plans.

Austin Riley will have at least one more season in the minor leagues if the Atlanta Braves roster remains healthy. While there is some speculation that Riley could be traded, Riley should remain in Atlanta for the time being.

This spring Riley will have an opportunity to prove to the Braves front office he is the third baseman of their future.

Riley has risen quickly through the minor leagues and shown an above average glove and brings developing power to the plate.

He has hit .283 so far through multiple levels in the minor leagues. Riley flashed plenty of potential in the minors but has failed to find the consistency needed to be promoted.

This spring he is likely to get plenty of playing time with veterans getting limited at-bats. Riley will have a chance to prove he is a part of the Braves core.

Riley is likely to spend some time in the outfield to give him more positional flexibility and have a shot at making the roster this season. Barring injury it still seems unlikely he will make the team with veterans starters already in place.

Still, at only 21-years old there is plenty of reason to think Riley will play into the Braves long term plans.  Trading him seems unlikely without any other long term options at the third base position.

The rest of the Braves spring invitations have been innings fillers, players without a shot at making the team. Though with plenty of off-season left the team is expected to make at least one more high impact addition.

Spring training is only a few short weeks away before baseball will back once again. More to come as the long off-season is finally nearing its end.