Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Austin Riley blasts no-doubt homer over right-field wall

Austin Riley, a non-roster invitee with the Braves this spring, turns 21 on April 2. Baseball America rates him baseball’s No. 54 prospect and FanGraphs lists him at No. 55. The Braves drafted Riley in the first round in 2015 (41st overall) out of DeSoto Central HS in Southaven, Miss. Riley hit 20 homers in 484 at-bats last season. He hit 20 homers (495 ABs) in 2016 and 12 homers (217 ABs) in 2015.
By
Updated March 2, 2018

Austin Riley finally converted one of his batting practice homers to live action.

In the sixth inning of the Braves’ 5-2 win over the Tigers on Thursday, Riley hammered a ball over the right-field fence on a 1-1 count to put the Braves up for good.

It was his first homer of the spring for the Braves’ top third-base prospect, and he left no doubt. Riley hit 20 homers across Single-A and Double-A last season, including hitting .315 with eight homers in 48 games with Mississippi.

“That was good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Riley’s home run. “It’s good for these kids to get out there, get some at-bats. They can get settled in. It’s not such a big deal. … I think you’ll start to see what we like about these guys.”

Explore

About the Author

Gabriel Burns is a general assignment reporter and features writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After four years on the Braves beat, he's expanded his horizons and covers all sports. You'll find him writing about MLB, NFL, NBA, college football and other Atlanta-centric happenings.

Follow Gabriel Burns on facebookFollow Gabriel Burns on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Braves' Eli White (36) celebrates his three-run homer against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP Photo)

Credit: AP

Late-inning long ball lifts Braves to 4-1 win over Cardinals

Braves win over Cardinals 4-1. Eli White hit a game-winning three-run home.

Braves starter Spencer Strider diagnosed with low level hamstring strain

‘In the moment I thought it was going to be something serious,’ Atlanta pitcher says.

Braves’ Spencer Strider goes on injured list with right hamstring strain

The Latest

Braves third baseman Austin Riley slides safely into home against the Cardinals. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Braves Report: Early season superlatives

Braves Report: Your No. 1 draft pick

Late-inning long ball lifts Braves to 4-1 win over Cardinals

Featured

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks to constituents during a Town Hall his office held on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Atlanta, at Cobb County Civic Center. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Jason Allen)

Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Jon Ossoff turns Trump’s CDC cuts into 2026 rallying cry

Mass layoffs at the Atlanta-based CDC have become a symbol in Georgia of Trump's second-term push to shrink the federal government and dismantle government agencies.

OPINION

TORPY: Bikes, scooters and walkers collide in Beltline free-for-all

Why Atlanta’s popular path needs a parallel trail.

Cunningham: Falcons hit home run in draft by finally making big investment in pass rush

The Atlanta Falcons have a chance to produce a good pass rush for the first time in a decade.