Webb, Riley claim monthly honors
PEARL, MS - The Atlanta Braves have announced the first minor league pitchers and players of the month during the 2018 season. RHP Jacob Webb and infielder Austin Riley will take home the honors for the Double-A Mississippi club for the month of April.
PEARL, MS - The Atlanta Braves have announced the first minor league pitchers and players of the month during the 2018 season. RHP
Riley, 21, closed out the month of April with a .310 batting average (26-for-84) in 23 games played. The Atlanta Braves No. 8 overall prospect also finished the month of April as the team leader in doubles (8), triples (3), homeruns (4) and RBI (15). In addition, the M-Braves third baseman ended the month of April with a .363 on-base percentage, a .619 slugging percentage, a .982 on-base plus slugging percentage, 13 runs scored, and seven walks. Riley currently leads the Southern League in extra-base hits (16) and total bases (57). The young power hitter also currently ranks second among all Southern League hitters with a .648 slugging percentage and 18 RBI. The Hernando, MS native was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 out of Desoto Central High School (Southaven, MS) as their Competitive Balance Round A (No. 41 overall) pick.
Webb, 24, finished the month of April with a team best 0.77 ERA in 10 relief appearances with Double-A Mississippi. Webb, who has assumed the closer role for the M-Braves, allowed just six hits, two runs, one earned run, one homerun, issued four walks, and recorded 19 strikeouts in 11.2 innings pitched during the month of April. The right-hander also posted a 0.86 WHIP and a .146 AVG for the month. Webb currently leads all M-Braves pitchers with five saves on the season (5/6 in SV/SVO). Webb's five saves also currently rank second among all Southern League pitchers. A native of Riverside, CA, Webb was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 18th round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Tabor College (Hillsboro, KS).
The Mississippi Braves baseball team is the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Since the inaugural 2005 season, over 125 M-Braves have gone on to play in the big leagues. The M-Braves have made postseason play four times and went on to win the Southern League Championship in 2008. Tickets are on sale now. Stop by Trustmark Park or call 888-BRAVES4 Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. For the latest news and updates, visit mississippibraves.com or connect with @mbraves on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.