Braves’ Austin Riley Struggles Amid Team’s Disappointing Start

ATLANTA, Ga. — As the Atlanta Braves struggle to find their footing in the 2025 season, third baseman Austin Riley‘s alarming performance has drawn significant attention. With the team holding a 1-8 record after the first week of April, questions arise about Riley’s capabilities as a key player in the lineup.

Riley currently holds a slash line of .143/.211/.257, a stark contrast to his previous seasons where he demonstrated All-Star caliber performance. Numerous fans have expressed their concerns on social media, highlighting the noticeable decline in his batting skills. One user, Tim Williams, remarked, “This is starting to get concerning regarding Austin Riley. It’s been quite a while since he’s been consistently good at the plate.”

Another fan, Aron, simply stated, “Somebody fix Austin Riley, please,” while a third user, Clayton, quipped, “Austin Riley do literally anything challenge.” The collective disappointment mirrors a larger struggle within the Braves organization.

In the last three seasons, from 2021 to 2023, Riley posted an average OPS of .878 and accumulated nearly 6 WAR each year, earning two All-Star nods and a pair of Silver Slugger awards. However, a dip to a .783 OPS with 19 home runs in 2024 suggested a troubling trend for the former standout. These diminishing numbers are concerning, especially as Riley is only 27 years old, an age when most players peak.

Despite the alarming start to the season, there remains hope for a turnaround within the Braves’ lineup. With stars Ronald Acuña and Spencer Strider poised to return from injury, the team’s fortunes could shift. Winning against teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, who are currently 5.5 games ahead in the NL East standings, during this series will be crucial.

The context of Riley’s struggles is compounded by the fact that the Braves’ recent performance leaves little room for error. The team’s offense has fallen short, prompting the need to capitalize on games against opponents who may also be facing challenges. The upcoming series against the Phillies is vital as they look to climb out of the early-season rut.

As the Braves head into a critical week, the spotlight will be firmly on Austin Riley. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can regain his form and help steer the team back toward winning ways. Every game matters as the division title races begin to shape up, and the Braves need to right the ship quickly.