Braves' $212M Former MVP Candidate Struggles with Ice-Cold Start

Two-time All-Star Austin Riley faces mounting pressure to bounce back after signing the largest contract in Braves history.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:54pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the geometric shapes and planes of a baseball player's batting motion, with the player's face and uniform obscured, conveying the raw energy and tension of a struggling star athlete.The Braves' $212 million investment in Austin Riley faces mounting pressure as the star third baseman struggles to find his swing.Philadelphia Today

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley, who signed a massive $212 million contract in 2024, is off to a disappointing start this season, going just 3-for-31 (.097) with two RBIs through the first couple weeks. Riley's prolonged slumps and injury issues over the past couple seasons have left many fans and analysts questioning whether he will live up to the high expectations that come with his lucrative deal.

Why it matters

As the Braves' highest-paid player, Riley's struggles have raised concerns about the team's long-term investment in him. While he has shown flashes of being one of the best hitters in baseball when healthy, his inconsistent play and injury history have left the Braves fanbase unsure if he can be a reliable cornerstone of the franchise.

The details

Riley's 2025 season was plagued by injuries, including a potential sports hernia that landed him on the injured list twice. This year, he has gotten off to a brutal start at the plate, going hitless in three consecutive games on two separate occasions. Despite his massive contract, Riley has left runners stranded and struggled to produce in key situations.

  • Riley signed his $212 million contract with the Braves in 2024.
  • In 2025, Riley dealt with injuries that limited his playing time.
  • So far in 2026, Riley is batting just .097 (3-for-31) through the first couple weeks of the season.

The players

Austin Riley

A third baseman for the Atlanta Braves who signed a $212 million contract in 2024, but has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play in recent seasons.

Steven Teal

An analyst for HTHB who has expressed concerns about whether Riley's contract has been a worthy investment for the Braves so far.

David O'Brien

A reporter for The Athletic who wrote about Riley seeing a specialist to diagnose a potential sports hernia injury.

Harrison Smajovitts

A writer for Sports Illustrated who detailed Riley's recent struggles at the plate, including leaving runners stranded and failing to produce in key situations.

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What they’re saying

“It's just hard to agree that it has been a worthy investment thus far, with his performance middling out and a couple of season-ending injuries. Those things aren't his fault, but it's tough not having him on the field.”

— Steven Teal, Analyst, HTHB

“Braves 3B Austin Riley is seeing a specialist, Dr. William Meyers, today in Philadelphia to diagnose the recurring abdominal soreness that's twice landed him on the IL and could be a sports hernia. Meyers is a leading authority in core muscle injuries.”

— David O'Brien, Reporter, The Athletic

“Since opening day, Riley is 3-for-31 (.097), with three walks, two RBIs and an extra-base hit. He's gone hitless in three consecutive games twice. We can point to any particular situation or split. He just hasn't performed well in any situation since the first game of the season. He left a runner stranded in both of his trips to the plate on Sunday. When he came in to pinch hit in the top of the eighth inning, he popped up with a runner on first base with two outs. Then, with a runner on third with two outs in the top of the 10th, he hit a soft fly ball to right field to retire the side.”

— Harrison Smajovitts, Writer, Sports Illustrated

What’s next

Riley will need to turn things around quickly to convince Braves fans and management that his massive contract was a worthwhile investment. The team and its fanbase will be closely monitoring his performance and health as the season progresses.

The takeaway

Austin Riley's struggles to start the 2026 season have raised serious questions about the long-term viability of his $212 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. While he has shown flashes of being an elite hitter, his inconsistency and injury history have left the team and its fans unsure if he can live up to the lofty expectations that come with being the highest-paid player in franchise history.