Nobody ever said being a professional baseball player was an easy job. It gets even tougher when one arrives at the highest level of the game, the major leagues. Then all of that pressure gets taken, stirred in a cauldron with young age, and produces something of a logistical nightmare. This is true in almost all of those situations…unless the one under pressure happens to be Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II. Harris, who is only 22, has experienced the roller coaster aspect of big league ball for the first time this year. His 2023 season has been populated more by the dips than the high-arching vaults where everyone has their hands up and is screaming in jubilation. However, through these low points, Harris has shown incredible perseverance and determination to return to form. The month of June has proven to be a resurgence for Michael Harris II.
Certainly, this has not been a simple process. After all, Harris has had a lot to play up to. He’s the defending National League Rookie of the Year. His .297 average in 2022 ranked second among NL rookies and third among all rookies. He had a wOBA of .368 and a wRC+ of 136, both of which were also second among NL rookies. The man who finished first, Joey Meneses, only played in 56 games to Michael Harris II’s 114. So, the sample sizes were a bit skewed. However, Harris proved, at the age of 21, that the Braves weren’t done bringing up young phenoms. At age 22, he’s proven his resilience in the face of true adversity.
The Resurgence of Michael Harris II
Finding Ways to Produce
For Michael Harris II, the name of the game has always been production. Braves fans have come to view him as the everyday nine-hole hitter. While this may sound like a demotion, his placement in the lineup affords Atlanta a true advantage. Since Ronald Acuna Jr. is hitting, ostensibly, “behind” Harris, it’s like having two leadoff hitters back-to-back. Consistent production is exactly what any manager wants out of a leadoff hitter, and since the Braves have “two,” people look to both Harris and Acuna to fill that role. For the first 50 or 60 games of the 2023 campaign, Acuna was the only one doing this.
Now, not all of the blame can be put on Michael Harris II. After all, he was dealing with two consecutive injuries (a bad back and a jammed knee). Then, he had to play with a brace on his leg that, according to Mark Bowman, made things rather uncomfortable for the young star. As his body went, so went his offensive performance. He missed 20 games in April and then two more at the beginning of May. From May 6 (his return date) to May 31, he hit only .141 (10-for-71) with one homer, five runs scored, and 21 strikeouts. Concern for Michael Harris II was through the roof, and for good reason. The words “sophomore slump” began to become more prevalent.
The Resurrection of Michael Harris II
Upon entering the month of June, Michael Harris II carried a stat line that few would envy. He was slashing .174/.260/.266 with an OPS of .526. His 19 hits, 12 runs scored, four doubles, and 29 strikeouts were a far cry from the phenom that had burst onto the scene in 2022. Certainly, they were not indicative of Harris’s talents as a player. While his defense was still as spectacular as ever, the Braves sought more consistent offensive production from their ninth-place hitter. Once Harris got over his physical woes, the Braves got exactly what they wished for.
June has been a revelation for the young center fielder. At the time of writing, he’s slashing .368/.385/.632 with an OPS of 1.017. He’s hit five homers and knocked in 14 runs while scoring 15 of his own. His 32 hits in the month are fifth in the National League and second on the Braves. He’s shown vast improvements in the advanced metrics as well. His wOBA (.429), fWAR (1.3), and wRC+ (170) are all top ten in the league. He’s cut down on his strikeouts with great affinity. His strikeout percentage (13.2) is the seventh lowest in the league. In all these areas, Acuna has been almost in tandem. So it is fairly safe to say that the dynamic duo has returned.
Michael Harris II came into June 7 batting .163. After his 5th inning single, he’s now batting .268 for the Atlanta #Braves, not the Gwinnett Stripers.
What a 3 weeks it has been. pic.twitter.com/juBjTpSt4A
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) June 28, 2023
The Future for Michael Harris II
Michael Harris II has a strong case for National League Player of the Month honors. Whether or not he gets it is up to fate. Other players like his teammates Acuna and Matt Olson have done amazing things this month. Outside of the Braves, young stars like Corbin Carroll have mixed with veterans like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arraez to make this one of the most exciting months in league history. However, Harris’s argument holds a bit more water; namely, his return from injury. His average is well over 100 points better than it was a month ago. He has found his swing once more and, with it, his confidence.
His future is undetermined. Should he decide to attack it the same way he’s been attacking baseballs all month, then it will be very bright. Yes, he is young, and yes, he has a full career ahead of him. That said, this month has been a complete return to form. It’s not really a revelation, as that happened in a previous season. Nevertheless, it has been a shot of adrenaline to an offense that, while never close to mediocre, still needed it. Michael Harris II has experienced a resurgence after early season doom, and only time can unfold the rest of the story.
Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Michael Harris II, Joey Meneses, Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Corbin Carroll, Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez
