The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Third base prospect Riley will play first base today
LAKELAND, FLA. — Braves third base prospect Austin Riley has been working out at first base and will man the position today at the Marlins. After flirting with the possibility of playing Riley in the outfield, the Braves seem more focused on letting him handle the corner infield spots.
Riley will play the entire game at first, manager Brian Snitker said, and he’ll get continued reps at that spot for the remainder of spring. The 21-year-old slugger is expected to make his major league debut this season.
“I don’t think first base will be a problem with him at all,” Snitker said. “He’s got good hands, he moves well, has good feet, trusts his arm. He’ll do a good job at first base.”
Riley spent part of the winter preparing to play some corner outfield. The Braves displaced him in the imme- diate future with the Josh Donaldson signing, though they’ve always been confi- dent they’d find a place for Riley when he’s ready.
The Braves’ consensus top position-player pros- pect has five hits in 22 at-bats this spring.
“I think he’s another kid who’s a different player this year than he was last,” Snit- ker said. “It’s his second big league camp, and he knows a bit more about what’s going on in the process. He’s done fine.”
Riley likely will start the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.
Gausman, Donaldson debut: Starter Kevin Gaus- man and third baseman Josh Donaldson made their spring debuts Friday night in the Braves’ 5-4 win over the Phillies.
Gausman, whose spring has been stalled by shoulder soreness, pitched 1⅓ innings, allowing three runs on four hits. But the righty made it through pain-free and remains on track to pitch within the first week of the regular season.
“I felt good for the first outing, getting back out there and getting used to sitting down and getting back up,” Gausman said. “Nothing emulates a game like a game. No matter how many sim games you do or live (batting practices), you know you’ll always be a lit- tle bit rusty.”
Donaldson took two enormous hacks at the first pitches he saw from Zach Eflin. He drew a 3-2 count and popped out to short to finish his first at-bat.
In Donaldson’s second chance, he exuded more patience and walked on four pitches. He also made a nice defensive play, snagging a liner at third.
“Today I wanted to be aggressive,” he said. “I hadn’t seen live pitching in about a week or so. … I wanted to see my timing, see some pitches. I felt like I saw the ball well. Probably moved a little quicker than normal just because of a little excitement and adrenaline.”
Newcomb roughed up: Sean Newcomb was hit for three runs in 2⅔ innings as the Braves beat the Tigers 6-4 on Saturday in Lakeland, the clubs’ fourth meeting this spring.
Newcomb’s clean first inning required only six pitches. He lost some of his control in the second, walking a pair, and was chased in the third after another walk and couple of hits.
Newcomb finished having walked three and allowed three hits. With Mike Foltynewicz not expected to be ready for opening day, Newcomb is a lead candidate to take the ball in Philadelphia on March 28.
“Ball was coming out pretty good,” Newcomb said. “I felt good and I was in a groove early, but once I got a little in my pitch count, I felt a little out of sync. Just normal spring-training stuff.”