The Atlanta Braves are in yet another power outage from the offense. After being shut out in back to back games versus NL East rivals, the Braves fell back to seven games under .500. The frustrating performance from the offense would occurring more frequently if not for Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson's amazing June.
That's because the rest of the lineup has failed to find any momentum across this crucial stretch of games in late June. Normally, the summer months are when Braves third baseman Austin Riley begins to catch fire. Sadly, Riley's June hasn't lived up to year's past and the Braves are really paying the price because of it.
Braves need more from Austin Riley before it's too late
Riley still holds the record for the largest contract handed out in Atlanta Braves history, however his performance isn't where he or anyone else would like it to be. Riley's numbers aren't as bad as others at the bottom, but the Braves need more than the 106 wRC+ and .745 OPS his is currently sitting on.
Both Riley and Ozuna are getting plenty of chances to drive in Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson because of how much the top of the lineup is getting on base. Sadly, both Riley and Ozuna seem to have been zapped in the power department this year and it's preventing the Braves from putting up crooked numbers in these rallies.
Last night a perfect example
— Austin Cain-Reach (@reach_baseball) June 26, 2025
Ronald and Matt: on base three times each
Ozuna and Riley behind them: 0-9 https://t.co/wSm4HIsFXQ
Riley's problem isn't that he's no longer hitting the ball hard, rather it's the frequency in which he's making contact. His strikeout rate (27.9%) is the highest since his rookie season. Part of the problem is his approach at the moment. Riley's pull% is sitting at a career high 43.7% and inversely his opposite field usage is at a career low 20.3%.
As we have seen, when Riley is hitting the ball with authority to right-centerfield that's when he is at his best. Fans have been waiting around for the patented Austin Riley summer month heater, but this June his wRC+ sits at just 79. That is steep drop off from the 151 wRC+ he posted in 2024.
So how does Austin Riley find his power stroke once again? Making more contact would be a start. Riley ranked in the 34th percentile in strikeout rate during his stellar 2023 season. Not exactly amazing, but a number that won't kill you. In 2025, Riley ranks in the 10th percentile in strikeout rate.
How does he stop striking out? Using the opposite field more as we mentioned is a great method for that. Allowing the ball to travel a bit more, and as a result having the ability to lay off pitches off the plate opens the door for Riley to begin doing damage like we know he can.