Page 193 - 2021 ATL Media Guide

AUSTIN RILEY
• Scored a single-game career-high five runs on • 2B Ozzie Albies would later hit a two-run
9/9 against the Marlins…Reached base safely four homer to cap the four-run frame…Riley FRONT OFFICE
times (2 H, 2 BB). and Albies (23 years, 279 days) are the
• Is one of just six Atlanta-era players first pair of teammates age 23 or younger
(since 1966) to score that many runs in a to hit a home run in the same inning in
game, joining Adam Duvall and Dansby postseason history.
Swanson, who also did so in that game. major league notes
• Chipper Jones, twice, Kenny Lofton and
Lonnie Smith are the others. • Has played in each of the last two seasons with MANAGER & STAFF
• On 8/30 at Philadelphia, hit a double and a home Atlanta, his only major-league experience.
run in a 10-run second inning...Became the first • Has batted .232/.288/.448 (107-for-462)
Braves player with multiple extra-base hits in a with 18 doubles, 26 home runs, 76 RBI
single inning since Jeff Blauser on 6/22/97, also and 65 runs scored.
at Philadelphia. • Primarily played left field in his rookie season,
• His only triple of the season, and second of his 2019, and third base in his second season, 2020,
career, broke a 2-2 tie and drove in three on 8/31 his first full major-league season.
at Boston...It was Atlanta’s first bases-loaded • In total, has made 62 career starts in left AUSTIN RILEY
triple since Mallex Smith cleared the bags on field, 49 at third base, five at first base and
5/30/16 vs. the Giants. two in right field.
• Has a career .910 OPS against left-handed
2020 POSTSEASON pitching, slashing .255/.325/.585 (27-for-106)…
• Started all 12 of Atlanta’s playoff games, and hit Has nine homers in just 106 at-bats, an average
.178/.245/.244 (8-for-45) with one home run, of one home run every 11.78 at-bats.
four RBI and four runs scored. • Against right-handed pitching, has a .684 SEASON IN REVIEW
• Started 10 games at third base and two in OPS, hitting .225/.277/.407 (80-for-356)…
left field. Has 17 homers in 356 at-bats, an average
• Did not make the Braves postseason of one home run every 20.94 at-bats.
roster in 2019. • Awards: N.L. Rookie of the Month (5/19).
• His first career postseason homer broke a tie • Batted .356/.397/.746 (21-for-59) with
in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the NLCS, an seven home runs and 20 RBI in 15
eventual 5-1 Atlanta win. games...Is the only Braves player in history PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
• At 23 years, 193 days old, became the to hit seven homers and drive in 20 in his
fourth youngest player with a go-ahead first 15 career games.
homer in the ninth inning or later of a • Spent the first half of the month in the
postseason game, joining PHI’s Jimmie minor leagues…Did not debut until 5/15.
Foxx (Game 5, ‘30 WS), StL’s Tim McCarver • At the time of his major-league debut, was
(Game 5, ’64 WS) and ATL’s Chipper Jones ranked by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect
(Game 1, ’95 DS). in the organization…Homered in his second
• Hitting from the No. 9 spot, became the career plate appearance, on 5/15, off St. Louis’ BRAVES HISTORY
fifth player in postseason history to hit Michael Wacha, becoming the eighth player
a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning in Atlanta history (since 1966) to homer in his
from that spot in the batting order, joining major-league debut…Evan Gattis was the last to
NYM’s Lenny Dykstra (Game 3, ‘86 LCS), do so, on 4/3/13, off Hall-of-Famer Roy Halladay.
LAD’s Kirk Gibson (Game 1, ’88 WS), TOR’s • Had his contract selected earlier that
Ed Sprague (Game 2, ’92 WS) and NYY’s day after OF Ender Inciarte went on the
Alfonso Soriano (Game 4, ’01 LCS). injured list with a lumbar strain. OPPONENTS
• It was the sixth homer in franchise history • Is the quickest player to double-digit home runs,
that gave the Braves a lead in the ninth by games played, in the modern era (since 1900)
inning or later of a postseason game, of franchise history…Hit his 10 career homer in
joining Eddie Mathews (Game 4, ’57 WS), his 26th career game…OF Wally Berger held the
Chipper Jones (Game 1, ’95 DS), Javy old record, hitting his 10th homer in his 29th
López (Game 1, ‘96 DS), Rafael Furcal game in 1930.
(Game 2, ’04 DS) and Rick Ankiel (Game
2, ’10 DS). MISCELLANEOUS

2021 ATLANTA BRAVES MEDIA GUIDE 193