NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: BRAVES VS DODGERS

October 21, 2021

Austin Riley

Dodger Stadium

Atlanta Braves

Pregame 5 Press Conference

Q. What, if anything, did you know about Rosario before he got here and what were your early impressions of him when you got to see him play?

AUSTIN RILEY: You know, not being in the league long, I mean, not a whole lot. I knew he was a good player, but what he's done for this club has been tremendous. I feel like we wouldn't be in this position without him. He's come up big for us. Just a lot of really good things about him.

Q. What has Freddie Freeman's influence been on you as a young player?

AUSTIN RILEY: I think just the way he goes about his business. To me, he's the definition of a professional baseball player. Day-in and day-out he brings it. He doesn't get too high, too low, just so poised in every situation. I think that's been the biggest thing that I've taken from him is just learning how to deal with success and failure.

Q. When you have these new players come in, all the new outfielders, what role do you see Freddie taking as sort of the guy in the clubhouse to sort of make things comfortable for them?

AUSTIN RILEY: He doesn't say a lot. I mean, I think just the way he carries himself. I think he's a leader by example, just like I said, day-in and day-out. It doesn't matter if he's 0-4 or 4-4, he's going to be the same guy every day and I think guys catch on to that and gravitate that way when they come join the team.

Q. Along those lines, Freddie's been with you guys over a decade. What would it mean to get him to a World Series as that guy who's been the centerpiece of the franchise?

AUSTIN RILEY: Huge. I mean, he's been through the really rough times of this team when they weren't really winning at all, and to finally be in a position to where we could get there, I think that is huge. And I think you ask every player, it would mean a lot to them for us to get to the World Series for him.

Q. Is it something he's talked about at all, wanting to get there?

AUSTIN RILEY: No, I mean, no, not at all. Like I said, he doesn't say a whole lot. Like I say, he just goes about his business the right way and it would mean a lot to, I think, the whole team if we got there, for everybody, but certainly for him.

Q. Using your experience that you guys have had before, what would you say or gauge the sense of urgency for trying to get this done here tonight?

AUSTIN RILEY: I think a lot of urgency just because we've been in this spot and ended up not the way we want to. So it's just, I think the vibe in the clubhouse is we're coming to take care of business. I think we're not going to let up at all. I think you just come out and play your game and I think things will take care of itself if we just stay inside of ourselves. But no, there's definitely a sense of urgency to let's get this thing done.

Q. When you first came up, I know the Braves played you in the outfield, and then eventually moved you to third. Your growth process once you hit the major leagues, outfield then third base, learning major league pitchers, at what point did you begin to feel comfortable like I belong here and I'm here to stay?

AUSTIN RILEY: Really not until, at some point I know -- no specific time, but at some point this year I feel like I finally was able to relax a little bit, be myself.

But there's no guarantees in this game, for sure. I mean, Snit and I talk every spring, it's like you got to come in and try to win a job. I think that's just the mindset that you got to have every day is there's always somebody behind at that next level trying to come and take your job.

So nothing specific, but it's just one of those things where I think I've been able to be comfortable at third base and just get those continued reps and not having to bounce around learning a new position.

Q. You said really it was this year where you began to feel comfortable. Like at what point of the year, like was it early, middle, and was there a game or two or a moment where you felt like, okay --

AUSTIN RILEY: No, no specific game. I would really say later in the year, just because, like I said, we're trying to win a championship. If you don't continue to produce, you're going to find yourself out of the game. I think just continue to put in the work I think is what's been the biggest thing is just coming in every day and working.

But no really specific day or game or whatever that's been like, hey, I can breathe a little bit. I'm trying to keep my job as long as I can.

Q. Like you, AJ Minter, he's had his ups and downs as well, but he's always kind of bounced back and come up in some big moments for you guys. What can you say about his mental strength that he's able to do this?

AUSTIN RILEY: Yeah, I think it doesn't matter if he has a bad game or a good game, he wants the ball the next day. I think that says a lot. I think he's a bulldog. He comes to the yard every day and he's one of those guys that puts his head down and works really hard.

Just like me, he's had a few struggles but when it comes crunch time I think he's come up big, and especially in the postseason this year and last year, he's been huge for us.

Q. How big was, how good is this news for getting Soler back? I know he's pretty significant for you guys down the stretch.

AUSTIN RILEY: Yeah, no, that's huge. What he did for us before he, obviously, tested for positive on COVID, what he did was huge and to just be able to add that bat back in the lineup is, I think it's just going to help us down the stretch. I actually saw him earlier today and gave him some fist bumps. He's pumped, I know he's super pumped to be back and ready to help this club.