Atlanta’s center fielder is surging at the plate despite the team sinking to new lows.
The Atlanta Braves stink.
After starting the week with a victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday, the Braves proceeded to lose five consecutive games, including getting swept by the Texas Rangers — concluding with a Sunday affair that saw them get absolutely dog-walked in a contest that wasn’t as close as the 8-1 final score might indicate.
This Braves team has lost 60 games before the end of July and looks like the worst team in the National League, excluding the Colorado Rockies – maybe.
But, there was bright spot during the week that was. And it was a sight for sore eyes.
Since the beginning of the season, there were two players whose struggles have been oft cited as worst amongst the Braves position players: second baseman Ozzie Albies and center fielder Michael Harris II.
This week, the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year looked like the player he was when he earned a long-term financial commitment from the Braves front office.
Entering this week, Harris II was slashing .212/.237/.324 but had just drawn if first walk in more than two months with the hopes that re-working his batting stance would turn his season around.
Then he got hot and oh, the week he had.
It was a much-needed stretch that reminded everyone of the player he could be.
Battery Power Braves Player of the Week: Michael Harris II
For the week, Michael Harris II went 11 for 23 (.478) – and since Tuesday night’s game, 11 for 19 – with a walk, two doubles, two triples and two home runs while striking out only twice. He also drove in three runs while scoring five times.
The apex of his week came during Saturday night’s game against the Rangers when he went 4 for 4 with two triples, a home run and a double while driving in three and scoring twice.
After a 2 for 4 game on Sunday – in which he accounted for half of the team’s hits – Harris II lifted his slash line for the season to .228/.253/.365. For July, he’s hit .293/.312/.547, which is more in line when his preseason expectations.
Credit to Harris II, 24, as his defense and base running have continued to be stellar despite his offensive ineptitude. For the season, he’s in the 96th-percentile for outfield range and his base running is still well above average.
A strong finish to a lost 2025 season would provide optimism that his potential All-Star-level performance could be unlocked for 2026.
Regardless of how the rest of his year goes, Harris II had one heckuva a week last week.
One that was good enough that someone might actually want to win his Bronco again.