Earlier today The Morning Shift had our very own Atlanta Braves insider, reporter, and host of ‘From The Diamond’ Grant McAuley in studio in honor of today being Opening Day and the home opener for the Braves, and Beau Morgan asked Grant which Braves player he thinks the team needs to have a good start to the season the most, and that led Grant to talk about the impact he thinks Atlanta’s power hitting third baseman Austin Riley can have this season if he has a good year and a good start to the 2026 campaign.
“If I'm looking at one guy that I feel like could have the biggest impact in the middle of the order it’s Austin Riley, and I think he is highly motivated after his last couple of years to come in and do some big things this year.” Grant said
Injuries the last two years have stopped Austin from producing the way Braves fans have become accustomed to, so now that he’s back to 100% and after putting together a good spring Austin Riley looks primed to have a big bounce back season.
