Multiple outlets reported Wednesday morning that the Atlanta Braves have called up third-base prospect Austin Riley.
Looks as if the Braves made good use of their crystal ball. No sooner did they start getting their red-hot prospect Austin Riley reps in the OF in Gwinnett, Emder Inciarte gets hurt and now Riley’s getting promoted. First reported by @mlbbowman
— Knox Bardeen (@knoxbardeen) May 15, 2019
The promotion comes as outfielder Ender Inciarte is expected to be placed on the injured list with back tightness.
"I understand it's because Ender is hurt, and you need depth in the outfield," Andy Bunker said. "If you're going to bring up a guy of that caliber who's been doing what he's been doing in Gwinnett, just tearing the cover off the baseball...let him come up here and see if he's still hot. I'm not using him as a pinch-hitter. I'm letting him get in the lineup and see if we can't capture some of that fire."
All he does is rake, rake, rake, no matter what@Braves prospect @austinriley1308 belts a grand slam for his 10th May HR with @GoStripers.-- https://t.co/BJ7JytIZqr pic.twitter.com/szJhnGDbZp
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 15, 2019Riley has 39 RBI, 32 runs, 25 extra base hits and 98 total bases in only 37 games. That's pretty good.
"You got to find a way to get him in the lineup," Randy McMichael said. "I know it's a whole thing about 'he's only played four games in left field.' So? He's got to learn. His bat is major league ready."
