Austin Riley agrees to a 10 year, $212 million extension with the Atlanta Braves through the 2033 season.
Arguably one of the most underrated players in all of the MLB is Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves. The 25-year old third baseman has been in the MVP conversation the past couple of years and is a big reason for the Braves’ World Series title due to his offensive surge. Riley had the highest OPS in the month of July at 1.344 (second was Judge at 1.252) and also a Braves franchise record of 26 extra-base hits in one month previously owned by Hall of Famer Hank Aaron with 25.
Since June 1, the Braves are 39-14 which is the best month stretch since July and August 2004. This has come at the hands of the current 21st highest paid 3B. Riley is behind the likes of Yoan Moncada and Brian Anderson. No disrespect to those two serviceable players but by no means are like MVP candidate Austin Riley. All stats aside, the Atlanta Braves are in a very favorable position to grow into a dominant force in the NL for years to come and Riley in his prime has to be at the top of the list for the best player on this team.
Riley has played all but two games this year and with the slash line of .301/.360/.604, that is exactly what the Braves needed and more from a SUPERSTAR in the making. Yes the longer contracts are sometimes head scratchers toward the end of players’ careers but only time will tell. For now, Austin Riley is more than deserving of the extension at that price, going from the 21st highest paid third basemen in the MLB to the highest-paid player in the Atlanta Braves’ franchise history.
