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Riley's Slump Busts: Braves Slugger Finds Power
17 May
Summary
- Austin Riley has historically overcome slow starts with impressive streaks.
- Riley's recent performance mirrors his early 2023 struggles and success.
- Mike Yastrzemski also improved his performance during the recent homestand.
Atlanta's Austin Riley is no stranger to slow starts, and his current season's early struggles may be less concerning than initially perceived. His history suggests that a single confidence-boosting game can ignite a significant streak.
Riley recently hit a three-run homer and a double in the Braves' victory against the Red Sox. This marked his third game this season with multiple extra-base hits, a feat he also achieved on April 15 and April 17.
Despite these flashes, Riley has not yet replicated the prolonged power surges seen in his 30-plus home run seasons from 2021-2023. He currently holds a .220 batting average with seven home runs and a .671 OPS through the Braves' first 47 games.
This statistic is comparable to his performance at the same point in the 2023 season, where he hit .256 with seven homers and a .746 OPS, before finishing with 37 home runs. The Braves, boasting a 32-15 record and ranking second in runs scored, have thrived offensively.
This offensive success has been achieved despite slow starts from key players like Riley and Mike Yastrzemski. Yastrzemski, a veteran outfielder, has also recently demonstrated a turnaround from his own frustrating stretch.
During the past week, Yastrzemski delivered a go-ahead homer and a go-ahead double against the Cubs. He concluded the six-game homestand by driving in his second homer of the season and raising his OPS from .516 to .643.
