MLB Pipeline announced its list of the top ten third base prospects last night and Atlanta Braves rookie Austin Riley slips in at number six.
Life of Riley
There was a lot of head scratching when the Braves used the their pick at # 41 to choose Riley last summer. A high school senior committed to Mississippi State, he was a two way player that Baseball America ranked him at #164 and their scouting report ($) called “. . .a riddle for scouts to solve. . .“
Most believed he would be drafted as a pitcher, after all he could sling a fastball at as high as 95 – though he averaged about 90 – and threw a breaking pitch that had “potential”.