Braves writer sounds alarm on Austin Riley's slow start, sparks potential 'bust' concerns originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves are off to a hot start in 2026, but one player is still struggling to get going. Austin Riley has not gotten off to the start he expected.

This is not an ideal time for the Braves’ third baseman to be struggling, considering he is the highest-paid player in franchise history. Since 2022, Riley has sat atop Atlanta’s all-time payroll rankings.

“The Atlanta Braves have signed star third baseman Austin Riley to a 10-year, $212 million contract, the most lucrative deal in team history and a surprise given he had three additional seasons under club control. The deal starts in 2023 and runs through the '32 season, and it includes a $20 million club option for 2033,” ESPN wrote.

Riley does not believe the issue is related to strikeouts or anything major. Instead, he feels it comes down to not making hard contact consistently.

“You know, I think it just comes down to, you know, it’s kind of been it’s been a little weird because like I said, the strikeouts aren’t there. It’s like the walks are up a little bit. It’s like, you know, I’m putting the ball in play. It’s just not hard contact. And I think that’s just a contact point (problem),”