Riley drives 2 homers nearly 900 total feet

Austin Riley hadn’t tasted much success since the start of the Grapefruit League season, but the Braves’ third baseman unleashed some frustration by drilling two monstrous home runs in a 6-3 loss to the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon at LECOM Park.

Riley began his productive day by drilling JT Brubaker’s curveball over the tall batter’s eye beyond the center-field fence. The solo shot traveled a projected 442 feet with a 107.7 mph exit velocity.

“When you come here, you’re going to see some long balls,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said in reference to the windy conditions in Bradenton, Fla. “But that was good to see.”

Brubaker, who allowed just three hits over five innings, unsuccessfully challenged Riley with a first-pitch fastball in the fourth inning. The 23-year-old drilled the slightly elevated delivery over the center-field wall, just to the left of the batter’s eye. This two-run shot traveled a projected 428 feet with a 106.4 mph exit velocity.

“Those things went a long, long way,” Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson said. “He honestly has all of the talent. It’s fun to see when he really gets a hold of one.”

Riley entered Wednesday hitting .200 (5-for-25) with no extra-base hits. He’ll enter the regular season next week intent on keeping the third-base job he won last year.

Can Riley once again be the guy who impressed by homering 14 times (once every 11.5 at-bats) and producing a .930 OPS through his first 42 career games in 2019? Or is he more like the guy who has totaled just 12 homers (one every 25.1 at-bats) while producing a .633 OPS over the 89 games that have followed?

Improved mechanics and discipline made Riley far less susceptible to breaking balls last year, and he consequently saw his strikeout rate drop from 36.4 percent in 2019 to 23.8 percent in ‘20.

“He defended himself well last year and continued to get better,” Snitker said. “He’ll continue to figure things out and have more confidence in himself.”

Snitker placed Riley in right field on Wednesday to give him a chance to get a feel for the position in case he is needed out there at some point this year. The third baseman spent much of his rookie season in 2019 as an outfielder and was moved to left field as a late-inning replacement four times during the National League Championship Series in ‘20.

Taking the next step
Anderson was reminded of how challenging it can sometimes be for a pitcher to increase his workload during Spring Training. The Braves right-hander allowed just four hits and one run through the first five innings of Wednesday’s game. He then allowed four hits and three runs in the sixth.

This marked the first time this year that Anderson has pitched beyond the fifth inning. Five of the six runs he has surrendered during his past two starts have come during his final scheduled inning.

“Every time you get that extra inning or that extra up-and-down, there’s a little more fatigue,” Anderson said. “I feel really good. The ball was still coming out really well the last inning. So I’m happy with where I’m at.”

Anderson is lined up to pitch the third game of the season with an extra day of rest.

Lamb scratched
Jake Lamb was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup after he told the trainers he was feeling sore. Lamb created some offensive encouragement when he homered during a two-hit game on Tuesday.

Snitker said Lamb will likely return to action on Thursday. He didn’t reveal specifically what was ailing the third baseman.

With Lamb out of the lineup, Snitker put Johan Camargo at third base. Camargo has proven to be a versatile defender.

But Camargo’s potential value has decreased as he has become a less reliable shortstop. The need for him at third base also decreases with Lamb present. So there’s reason to question whether he will have a spot on the Opening Day roster.