PITTSBURGH – In his young career, Austin Riley has faced dominant pitchers such as Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Walker Buehler, Sandy Alcantara and others. He never seems scared when he steps into the batter’s box for those showdowns.
Well, there’s a coming event – which has nothing to do with baseball – that might stir his nerves.
“I’m kind of nervous in a way of how it’s going to go,” Riley said.
Riley is partnering with Team Red, White and Blue for Driving For Veterans, an event on Monday at Top Golf Atlanta that will benefit veterans. Team Red, White and Blue will receive 100% of the proceeds to dedicate to its mission to “enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through social and physical activity.” The event runs from 6:30-10 p.m.
It is a chance for Braves fans to golf with their favorite players and coaches, as there is a raffle taking place until Friday for fans to win a chance to play in the tournament. Among those scheduled to attend, along with Riley: Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, Max Fried, Travis d’Arnaud, Mike Soroka, Tyler Matzek, Luke Jackson, Vaughn Grissom, A.J. Minter, Dylan Lee, Brian Snitker and Eddie Perez.
Riley, who made his debut in 2019, wanted to get involved in the community in some way. He does not have any family members who served in the military, but he grew up hunting and would watch shows in which hunters would take veterans hunting. Riley always has had an appreciation for veterans.
“Just growing up and understanding that they’re the reason we have the freedom,” he said. “I try not to take anything for granted. I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to be where I am now, and I think they, in a way, deserve a lot of credit for that. I think that’s where it’s been.”
Usually, people – whether it be reporters or fans – have tons of questions for Riley about baseball and his life. This is his chance to ask the questions. He can’t wait to talk to veterans and learn their stories.
“To me, I think the stories of what they’ve been through is very intriguing and deserves to be heard,” Riley said. “I think that’s kind of where I want that to go. I want to gain more (knowledge of) how they deal with coming back home – whether it’s what they’ve been through overseas or from the family standpoint. When they come back, how do they really just cope with everything is what I’m looking forward to gaining more knowledge on.”
Riley and his wife, Anna, have talked about what cause they would support if they started their own foundation. This event is a start for Austin and Anna.
When Riley asked his teammates if they would want to come, he said they didn’t need to think twice about it. When he asked Snitker, the manager replied: “Heck yeah, I’ll be there. I won’t let you down.”
“To me, I couldn’t imagine being with a different group,” Riley said. “They’re just great people off the field. They care.”
And he’s excited to support this cause, even if he’s a bit nervous for the event.
“It’s something that’s a little bit out of my comfort zone, but it’s something that I really want to do,” Riley said. “It’s going to be fun.”
Harris makes adjustment on breaking balls
In Sunday’s game versus the Astros, Michael Harris saw 14 pitches.
Only one was a fastball.
Opponents are adjusting their scouting reports to his tendencies. But he is making quick adjustments that appear to be working, evidenced by Monday’s two-run homer on a 79 mph curveball.
“It’s really focusing more on your approach and what the game plan is,” Harris said. “Just changing your sights and getting to know pitchers. I know pitchers are now adjusting to me, so I have to adjust back. I guess that’s just what I have to do to continue to have some success that I’ve been having. Baseball is just ongoing adjustment.”
When Harris talks about setting his sights, he means homing in on a certain location. He wants to focus on a specific part of the strike zone and accept any pitch that doesn’t appear headed there.
“If it’s a strike on the corner, like a dot or something, just tip your cap,” he said.
Harris said he’s struggled with focusing during at-bats at times.
His mind goes something like this, he said: “OK, he got this strike called, so I have to kind of expand a little bit.”
“I feel like that’s kind of what caused it a little bit,” he added.. “I tend to lose focus because of the pitch before or the way that he’s trying to pitch. It’s just being more focused now.”
Harris’ situation is the perfect example of baseball’s cat-and-mouse game. Pitchers and hitters are constantly trying to get a leg up on one another. Harris is getting to know pitchers while they’re learning more about him. Both sides are adjusting.
But make no mistake: Despite some struggles in this specific area, Harris is probably the front-runner for National League Rookie of the Year. He has 13 homers and an .833 OPS.
“I think he’s had some at-bats that didn’t go quite so well, maybe he chased,” Snitker said. “But he always has an ability to put it behind. Every at-bat is a new at-bat. I don’t see him get frustrated with himself. I see him hanging in there adjusting.”
Another great month
With Monday’s win, the Braves are 14-7 in August after going 21-6 in June and 18-8 in July.
The last time the Braves put together three consecutive months with single-digit losses was in 1993, when the club did it in July, August and September. That squad won 19 games in each of those months and lost nine, seven and eight games, in order, in them.
In 1993, the Braves went 104-58 and played in the NL Championship Series.
Two recent draft picks promoted to Low-A
Owen Murphy and JR Ritchie, the Braves’ top two picks in this year’s draft, are headed to Low-A.
Murphy, the first-round selection, made two starts for the Florida Complex League Braves. The right-hander allowed only two hits in five innings and struck out seven batters.
Ritchie, the No. 35 overall pick, also started two games for the FCL Braves. He gave up two hits and struck out four over 4-1/3 innings.
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