The Atlanta Braves have been playing at an elite level all season long. It's been a nice change from the disappointment 2025 brought fans. However, owning the best record in baseball has already made up for that.
Despite some unfortunate injuries, the offense has been pretty dominant. Matt Olson is on pace for an MVP-worthy season, and the top of the lineup in general has been on fire. Austin Riley didn't get off to the best start this year, but it feels like he's turned a corner.
Riley had a rough first month of the 2026 season, with a .190 average over 32 games. He had 23 hits, including three homers, six doubles, 17 RBI, 12 walks, 33 strikeouts, and a 69 wRC+. That is an absolutely atrocious start for one of Atlanta's highest-paid players.
Austin Riley's turnaround couldn't have come at a better time for the Braves
It's hard not to be frustrated with his inconsistency over the last two seasons. There is so much potential with Atlanta's third baseman, and he could be a perennial MVP candidate if he played to his capabilities every season.
Luckily, Riley has started to turn a corner after the calendar hit May, and he's one of Atlanta's best hitters so far this month.
4️⃣3️⃣8️⃣ ft for Austin Riley!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/4zdsj0AMMS
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 3, 2026
Here is where Riley ranks among Braves hitters as of May 15th:
BA: .295 (2nd)
HR: 3 (3rd)
RBI: 8 (tied for 3rd)
H: 13 (tied for 1st)
OPS: .856 (4th)
SLG: .523 (3rd)
wRC+: 137 (3rd)
It's extremely encouraging to see the righty getting back on track. Riley has a long way to go to gain the trust of fans that he is all the way back. His strikeout rate increased to 31% from 24% last month, which isn't encouraging, even with the better numbers at the plate.
If he wants to reach his elite numbers from 2023, he'll really need to cut down on the strikeouts and get on base more often. He's been a bit too eager to swing at sliders again, and if he's able to lay off that pitch more often, it should immediately change things for him.
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