Braves 2021 Player Previews: Third Base is Austin Riley’s to Lose
By Edgar Galvan
Looking at how the roster is constructed right now, Riley is being looked at as the primary third baseman. Camargo is on the bench and with the recent acquisition of Jake Lamb, that is another third baseman thrown into the mix.
Does the addition of Lamb mean that Riley will be splitting time at third base? I do not believe so, but you can never be too sure.
Like stated previously, Riley has some high highs and some low lows. If those lows get a little too low, then who knows what can happen at third.
Third base is practically Riley’s to lose. He displayed some good defense at the hot corner last season and when his bat got hot, he played an important part in the lineup as well.
Maybe the addition of Lamb means that Riley’s leeway is a little less than it would’ve been had Camargo been the only option on the bench, but like I said, I don’t expect Lamb to play too much of a factor in Riley’s progression at third.
If anything, maybe this allows Riley to move to LF whenever Marcell Ozuna needs an off day?
Regardless, Riley has the pop that the other two options simply do not have. The biggest problem for Riley is those strikeouts and when it comes to the strikeouts, its offspeed that is the biggest hinderance.
Riley has the biggest potential to be such an integral part of the lineup as the guys at the top of the lineup seem to have everything locked down. If Riley can lower that SO% and bring more of that pop at the plate, who knows what kind of numbers he can put up in 2021.
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What do you expect from Riley in 2021? Do you think Camargo or Lamb pose a threat to Riley?