Height
6'1"
Weight
225 lbs
Age
29
College
N/A
Draft
2015, Rd 1, #41
Experience
7 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsC-
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 822 | 0.2710518 | 169 | 483 | 0.8274882 | 7 | 853 |
Current Contract
Length
10 years
Total Value
$212.0M
Guaranteed
$127.2M
AAV
$21.2M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Austin Riley's 10-year, $212M extension earns a D- CVI, reflecting a contract that looks increasingly problematic as the third baseman enters his age-29 season with middling production. Despite the media's glowing coverage of his "full recovery" and positioning as the Braves' offensive cornerstone, Riley's C- performance grade suggests his on-field results haven't matched the hype surrounding his return to health. The $21.2M AAV represents a significant premium for a player whose recent output has been replacement-level, creating a dangerous mismatch between perception and production that Atlanta will be paying for through his age-38 season. Riley's All-MLB First Team selections in 2021 and 2023 demonstrate his ceiling, but locking up a seven-year veteran at this price point through his entire thirties carries enormous risk if his current trajectory continues. While beat reporters celebrate his defensive highlights and the fanbase has regained confidence in their franchise cornerstone, the financial reality is that Atlanta has committed elite money to a player delivering middling results at a premium position. The lengthy term structure makes this deal particularly concerning, as third base production typically declines significantly in a player's thirties, leaving the Braves vulnerable to a decade-long albatross contract.
Performance Analysis
Austin Riley grades as a near-elite performer among MLB third basemen, earning a A- Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.270 batting average and a 0.826 OPS (above the league average of .720, an above-average mark) this season. With 169 home runs and 483 RBI through 821 games (a 33-HR, 95-RBI pace over a full season), he brings above-average power to the lineup. As a player entering his prime window at 28, Austin is a key contributor for the Braves. A 821-game sample provides high confidence in this grade.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/10 | vs CLE | W 11-5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ LAA | W 8-2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
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