One of the few consistent sources of frustration for the Atlanta Braves has been infielder Austin Riley. The veteran has hovered around the Mendoza line and been frustratingly average while being tied as Atlanta's highest-paid player with Matt Olson. Still, the Braves have no choice but to continue to exercise patience and hope sliding Riley down the lineup covers for the offensive woes and provides the infielder with the needed spark to turn things around. While this doesn't fit the aggressive management style of Walt Weiss, the team has no other viable options.
Starting options at third are limited, and Riley remains tied to the Braves for years to come, owed $22 million through the 2032 season. This isn't great news as the contract continues to age poorly with Riley having the worst season of his career. While it can be pointed to as a clear outlier, there have been two injury-shortened seasons the last two years, to go along with lesser production.
Riley is being paid at a level that sets the third baseman up with expectations as being a consistent top-of-the-lineup presence. The infielder was supposed to be a force capable of winning MVP and forcing himself into any conversation when it came to debating the league's top power-hitting infielders.
Braves Have No Choice but to Continue to Exercise Patience with Austin Riley
As frustrating as the reality of the situation might be, there is no getting around the fact that all the Braves can do is be patient. Riley spent the last two years being frustratingly average, only to follow it up with the worst season of his career thus far, as we sit in June well into the 2026 season. Still, there is hope that the infielder can turn back the clock and be the force he once was in the middle of the lineup.
It is scary to think about just how great the Atlanta offense might be if Riley were living up to expectations. The incredible first two months of the season offensively and racing out to a huge National League East lead have gone a long way in covering up frustrations.
Still, there is no escaping the fact that Riley's contract isn't aging well with the veteran no longer proving to be the power threat he previously was in Atlanta's lineup. What has changed or altered what was once a promising career remains a mystery; the Braves still have plenty of time to solve.
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