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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run against the San Diego Padres on Opening Day at Petco Park on March 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
On Friday night, the Atlanta Braves played the Cleveland Guardians (in Georgia).
The Braves won by a score of 11-5.
Austin Riley has had a very slow start to the season, but he had a strong performance with two hits, one walk and one RBI in four at-bats.
Atlanta Braves Still Owe Riley A Lot Of Money
GettyAustin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Riley was once among the best young stars in the MLB.
That said, the 29-year-old is currently batting .224 with 12 strikeouts in his first 14 games of the 2026 season.
It’s worth noting that the Braves still owe Riley $22 million per year through the end of the 2032 season (there is a club option for the 2033 season).
ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote (on August 1, 2022): “Third baseman Austin Riley and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a 10-year, $212 million contract extension, the Braves announced.”
GettyAustin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game Two of the Division Series at Truist Park on October 09, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Riley’s MLB Career
GettyAustin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2026 in Anaheim, California.
Riley was the 41st pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.
He has spent all eight years of his career playing for the Braves.
In 2021, Riley batted .303 with 33 home runs, 107 RBI’s and 91 runs in 160 games.
The Braves also won the World Series Championship that year.
GettyAustin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves rounds the bases after hitting a second inning home run against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on July 6, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Riley made back-to-back All-Star Games in 2022 and 2023 when he hit 75 total home runs across the two seasons.
That said, he has struggled in a big way over the last two years.
The two-time Silver Slugger has been unable to hit 20 home runs in either season.
@discussbaseball wrote (on April 7): “Austin Riley is a player I just can’t give up on. I’m not sure what it is. Through 42 PAs — .162 BA, 37 wRC+, -0.1 fWAR. Not slugging despite elite bat speed. Holding on hope.”
GettyAustin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Braves Right Now
The Braves are off to a good start to the year with a 9-5 record in their first 14 games, which has them at the top of the National League East.
They are 5-2 in seven games at home.
Following two more games against the Guardians, the Braves will host the Miami Marlins on Monday.
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.
He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar
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