The Braves are making sure Austin Riley isn’t going anywhere for a long time, signing him to a 10-year extension worth $212 million.
The Atlanta #Braves today signed 3B Austin Riley to a 10-year contract worth $212 million: pic.twitter.com/TdPVtpYnL5
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 1, 2022
Riley is coming off one of the best individual months in MLB history, but you have to think the Braves wanted to get something long-term done regardless. Now, Riley is chasing possible MVP honors after capping July off with a walk-off double:
In July, Riley hit .423 with 11 home runs, 14 doubles, 25 RBIs, and posted a 1.338 OPS. The walk-off double on Sunday, which was his 26th extra-base hit of the month, broke Hank Aaron‘s record of 25 extra-base hits in a single month. Riley was undoubtedly the best player of the month, leading all qualified hitters in July in wOBA, wRC+, AVG, SLG, and WAR. He was just the seventh player since 1901 to hit .420+ and have 26+ XBH in a single month, joining Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, and others.
Riley slashed .423/.460/1.344 as the team went 18-8 in July as he continues his ascent to an MVP. On the season, he’s hitting .301 with 29 homers and a .964 OPS, second in the NL, behind only Paul Goldschmidt‘s 1.012 mark.
Riley deserves every penny. I talked about possibly signing him to an extension last offseason and “buying out” some of his arbitration years, but the Braves still got good value in the middle of the season. I’m happy to have Austin Riley around. He’s proven to be one of the best hitters in baseball and, most importantly, has produced in the playoffs. Hopefully, he can bring home the MVP and another World Series title to Atlanta.
Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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