DOWNWARD Spiral: Can Austin Riley REBOUND and Lead the Atlanta Braves Again After Two Tough Seasons?
Austin Riley’s struggles raise questions about the Atlanta Braves’ lineup firepower heading into 2026. After signing the largest contract in franchise history, Riley’s offensive production has dipped, leaving fans to wonder if poor health and four-seam fastball troubles are the culprit—or if the league has simply caught up to him.
Jake Mastroianni traces Riley’s meteoric rise from top MLB prospect to being ranked the game’s No. 1 third baseman, unpacking key adjustments that fueled his prime years and examining the mechanical and statistical reasons behind his recent downturn. With the Braves counting on power from Riley, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Sean Murphy at the top of the order, the conversation spotlights Riley’s importance to Atlanta’s postseason hopes and whether a return to health will spark another All-Star campaign. Can Riley recapture his five-WAR form and anchor the Braves’ World Series ambitions?
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00:00
Austin Riley’s Early Rise
06:08
Contract, Breakout, and Peak Years
08:39
Recent Struggles & Turnaround Keys
6 comments
Off speed, low and away has been the kryptonite
I think he has a weight issue and appears slower to me
I hope he has a great season along with Harris and Ozzie they all need it to help to have a better season.. i can't handle another down year. Go braves
RILEY WILL COME OUT AND HAVE A GREAT SEASON HE WILL HIT 28 HRS AND 95 RBIS
He’s got comfortable with that big pay day,he gets paid whether he’s good or bad and making enough in one season to never want for anything,he’s getting paid that contract total regardless
What is it with these players once they get these big contracts they start going down hill it’s like they know they’re getting paid no matter what so they get lazy and just don’t seem to care if they suck,AA has tied up a lot of money in bad contracts in his tenure