When the team is firing on all cylinders, all or most of the lineup is really working counts and driving up the pitch count. That’s more what I want to see than anything with Riley. If he strikes out a lot, then ok…..but make them work to strike you out. Same thing has been going for Carpenter this year too. If a pitcher gets ahead in the count against either of them, then they just start swinging for the fences and the at bat becomes less competitive.
We’ve been strong this year because guys like Gleyber, Javy, Tork, and McKinstry have done a much better job YoY in at bat quality. I’d just like to see Riley be the face of that and truly become an elite hitter. We all know he has that potential.