David O’Brien of the Athletic reports that the Atlanta Braves have decided to call up their top prospect third baseman, Austin Riley, from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Riley, 22, has appeared in 37 games so far this season in which he is hitting .299/.377/.681 with 15 home runs and 39 RBI to give himself an elite 160 wRC+.
The corresponding move the team made was placing Ender Inciarte on the 10-day IL with back tightness, likely meaning that Riley will play left field instead of his natural position of third base.
That would give the team and outfield of Riley, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Nick Markakis. Their infield remains superb as well with Josh Donaldson, Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, and Freddie Freeman comprising it.
According to MLB Pipeline, Riley is the 34th best prospect in all of baseball and the fourth best prospect in a stacked Atlanta Braves’ farm system.
