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Atlanta Braves prospect Austin Riley injures knee

By Fred Owens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Austin Riley #83 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during photo days at Champion Stadium on February 22, 2018 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Austin Riley #83 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during photo days at Champion Stadium on February 22, 2018 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves third base prospect and number eight over all prospect, is on the disabled list with a sprained PCL
Atlanta Braves third base prospect and number eight over all prospect, is on the disabled list with a sprained PCL  (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

This afternoon w e learned Atlanta Braves number eight prospect injured his knee and will miss considerable time.

I heard the news mentioned briefly on MLB Network Radio this afternoon but no details were given at that time.

Atlanta’s musical chairs approach to third this year, magnified by the off-key play of Jose Bautista, had fans clamoring for Austin Riley’s debut. That hope now seems better aimed at 2019.

MLB Pipeline ranks Riley baseball’s #73 prospect overall and eighth best third base prospect while Baseball America ranked him #54 overall and the third best third base prospect headed into 2018.

Sprained PCL benches Riley

David O’Brien writing for the AJC reports Riley injured sprained the posterior crucial ligament diving for a foul ball.

Like most minor league injuries there’s little information beyond that. Review of local newspaper stories didn’t mention the injury at all, neither does the team web page .  Riley played on June third against the Louisville bats and went 0-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.

More from Tomahawk Take

Riley began the year with Mississippi, wreaking havoc with AA pitching. In his 27 games he hit 284/.345/.431/.794, .461 wOBA and 189 wRC+ in 109 PA. That earned him a trip to Gwinnett.

His first 13 games it appeared he’d seemed to have settled in nicely hitting .308/.362/.500/.862 with three homers in 52 AB. He walked  five times and struck out fifteen (29%) in that stretch. Since then he’s struggled.

His 12 games and 50 AB since his line fell to .250/.327/.360/.687 in spite of a .462 BAbip his K rate jumped to 46%.

(Statistics from Baseball-Reference.com)

That’s a Wrap

Before everyone scream small sample size, yes I know. I pointed that out when everyone suggested Riley’s first 12 games justified promotion.

Next: That was fast. Welcome aboard!

Riley has real potential, rushing him to the majors where he’ll be overmatched daily endangers that.  Today’s injury is a setback that might push his debut to 2019 . It might allow him to progress at his own pace without the pressure to make the jump too soon..

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