Snitker on Riley’s hot start: It’s exactly what we hoped to see

The Braves’ top position-player prospect continues destroying opposing pitching in Triple-A.

Third baseman Austin Riley is developing just as the team hoped. He had his third multi-homer game of the season Saturday, homering eight times in his last 11 games.

Riley is hitting .439 (18-for-41) with five doubles, 14 runs scored and 19 RBIs over that stretch. His 19 extra-base hits are tied for the International League lead and his 10 homers rank second in the IL.

“It’s great seeing what he’s doing, especially when a guy goes back and repeats,” manager Brian Snitker said. “That’s exactly what you hoped he’d do is exactly what he’s doing. How he’s going about it, the success he’s having, it’s been really good.”

After flirting with giving Riley time in the outfield this spring, the Braves don’t have plans to play their infielder in the corners in the immediate future, Snitker said. Riley is currently blocked at the major league level, and for the time being the Braves view him as a piece at third and first.

Despite that, Riley’s performance could force his way into the Braves’ plans later in the summer. At worst, he’s making the Braves more comfortable relying on him in the event of necessity.

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