Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker is pointing fingers at an unexpected source for third baseman Austin Riley’s recent defensive troubles the team’s own grounds crew.
Following Sunday’s loss to the San Diego Padres, where Riley committed his fifth error in May, Snitker downplayed concerns about Riley’s performance. Instead, he hinted that the playing conditions at Truist Park might be contributing to the problem. Notably, four of Riley’s five errors since May 8 have occurred at the Braves’ home stadium.
“I don’t think it’s all on him, if you want to know the truth,” Snitker told reporters, expressing dissatisfaction with how the infield has been maintained.
Field conditions can significantly affect gameplay, and teams usually collaborate with their grounds crews to tailor the surface to player preferences. However, Snitker’s comments suggest that the field at Truist Park isn’t meeting those standards.
Many of Riley’s recent miscues have come on sharply hit grounders, leading to speculation that the infield might be playing too fast for comfort.
