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Braves Michael Harris II Earns NL Player of the Week

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Braves Michael Harris II Earns NL Player of the Week
© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

It’s been a rocky ride for the Atlanta Braves this season, but if there’s one bright spot lighting up the mess, it’s center fielder Michael Harris II. Just weeks ago, fans were split on him—half the crowd calling for a demotion to Triple-A, the other half preaching patience.

Harris exploded at the plate this past week, going 11-for-23 while slashing a monster .478/.500/1.000. He racked up two doubles, two triples, and two homers, added slick glove work in the outfield, and earned himself National League Player of the Week honors. It’s the kind of tear that reminds everyone exactly why he was the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year.

“Better Late Than Never”

After weeks of struggling at the plate, Harris has looked like a completely different hitter—and even he doesn’t seem entirely sure why.

“I don’t know why it’s like that,” Harris told MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. “But baseball is a game of adjustments. If you can’t adjust, you can’t play this game. So, I’d rather find it in the middle of the season or late than never.”

Call it a mid-season epiphany. And while the Braves are short on wins, Harris is finally long on swagger.

Cycle Watch Becomes Team-First Hustle

Cycle Watch Becomes Braves Team-First Hustle
© Jay Biggerstaff Imagn Images

Harris nearly delivered one of baseball’s rarest feats Saturday against the Rangers. With a double, triple, and home run already in the bag, all he needed in the ninth was a single to complete the cycle. Instead, he found the gap, kept his foot on the gas, and legged out his second triple of the game, sacrificing the personal milestone to give the Braves a better chance to win.

They didn’t. But that moment said a lot about where Harris is mentally right now: locked in, unselfish, and fearless.

Braves Still Searching for Rhythm

Unfortunately, Harris’s hot streak hasn’t been contagious. Despite his heroics, the Braves have put together one of their worst stretches in recent memory. Atlanta got swept by the Rangers, nearly swept by both the Giants and Yankees, and followed that up with a 9-6 loss to Kansas City on Tuesday—a night that also saw Ronald Acuña Jr. land on the IL with Achilles tightness.

At 45–61, the Braves are now 16 games under .500 and 16.5 games out of first in the NL East. It’s a far cry from preseason expectations, and a stark contrast to last year’s World Series run.

It would take more than one player to right this ship—but Harris might be the emotional spark this team has been missing. The bat is hot. The hustle is loud. And the attitude is all business. Whether the team joins Harris in heating up—or continues sinking deeper into the standings—remains to be seen.

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