Riley’s meteoric rise for the Atlanta Braves early in the 2019 campaign culminated in a turbulent tumble of massive proportions.
The rookie slugger, who was drafted by the Braves in 2015 and ascended through the minor league ranks with his powerful right-hand bat, transitioned from a May sensation to a young hitter marred in a prolific, season-long slump.
Riley decimated minor league pitching in 2019 during his short stint at Triple-A Gwinnett (.391 average, 13 home runs, and an astounding 1.518 OPS). It was a reflection of Riley’s minor league track record, where, in 1,788 at-bats, he hit .