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Atlanta Braves: Fried a Lock for Rotation; Duvall vs. Riley

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 9: Max Fried
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 9: Max Fried /
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 13: A baseball sits on the field before a spring training baseball game between the the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 13, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 13: A baseball sits on the field before a spring training baseball game between the the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 13, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Is Austin Riley Ready Now?

If Duvall does indeed get cut before Opening Day, Austin Riley is one possible option to replace him.

We’ve mentioned before that Cristian Pache is also an option to take Duvall’s spot on the roster, but I think the front office wants to see more from him in the minors first.

And, they’ll only bring Pache up if he’s going to play every day.

I don’t think that’s the case with Riley. They could have Riley be a bench player for the Atlanta Braves and get him enough at-bats to make it worthwhile.

You know Josh Donaldson is going to get plenty of time off at third, and so will Nick Markakis in right field.

Of course, Johan Camargo and Charlie Culberson are more than capable of filling in at third and in the outfield.

More from Tomahawk Take

But what makes Riley more attractive for the big league club is that he is capable of playing first base.

He made his first start there this Spring during a March 10 game, and then again on March 16. It’s a small sample size, but I think he’s at least proven to the front office he’s capable of handling that position.

It will be interesting — and telling — if he plays first base a few more times this last week of Spring Training.

The Atlanta Braves really don’t have a good option to back-up Freddie Freeman at first base. Riley could provide that depth.

The top prospect has received the most at-bats of any Braves player this Spring and is hitting .267 after Tuesday’s 2-2 game in which he hit a home run.

Next. A New Path to Signing Kimbrel or Keuchel. dark

It’s still a long shot at this point, but if the roster spot comes down to Duvall versus Riley, I think it’s an easy decision.

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