Michael Harris II is giving the Atlanta Braves an early signal this spring: the adjustments he made late last season may be more than a temporary fix. Through the early stretch of Spring Training, the Braves’ center fielder has looked comfortable at the plate, squaring up baseballs and showing a level of patience that teammates immediately noticed. On Sunday, Harris reached base twice in just two plate appearances, collecting a double and drawing a walk. Including his appearance against Colombia, he now has four doubles and four walks in spring action, an encouraging combination of power and plate discipline.
Braves Teammates Notice a Different Approach
For a player whose biggest criticism in 2025 centered around his approach at the plate, the early signs are difficult to ignore. Braves pitcher Grant Holmes recently pointed to Harris’ improved walk totals as one of the most noticeable developments this spring.
A year ago, walks were almost nonexistent in Harris’s offensive profile. That lack of patience often left him vulnerable to pitchers who could exploit his aggressiveness early in counts. This spring, however, the numbers suggest a different hitter, one who is seeing the ball better and forcing pitchers deeper into at-bats.
Holmes noted that Harris may have already matched or even surpassed his walk total from last year’s spring training. That change may seem minor on the surface, but for a hitter whose offensive value rises dramatically when he reaches base more frequently, it could have major implications once the regular season begins.
The Adjustment That Changed His Season
Those improvements trace back to the midpoint of last season. Before the All-Star break, Harris struggled in a way few expected. Statistically, he ranked among the least productive qualified hitters in baseball at the time, posting a .210 average with a .551 OPS through 93 games. The numbers reflected a hitter searching for answers.
That search ultimately led to a mechanical adjustment in his swing. Harris raised his hands higher in his stance, positioning them closer to his ears rather than resting near his chest.
The difference after the break was dramatic. Over the final 67 games, Harris posted a .299 average and an .845 OPS while launching 14 home runs. He nearly matched his RBI total from the first half despite playing 26 fewer games. The surge transformed his season and helped him finish with a .249 average, a .677 OPS, 20 home runs, and 20 stolen bases, his first career 20/20 campaign.
Why Spring Training Could Matter
What makes the late-season turnaround even more notable is that it occurred without a major improvement in plate discipline. Harris drew only six walks after the All-Star break, meaning the offensive explosion came primarily from stronger contact and improved swing mechanics.
That context adds another layer of intrigue to his current spring performance. If the mechanical improvements that fueled his second-half surge are now paired with better pitch recognition and patience, the offensive ceiling rises considerably.
Harris does not need to replicate a .400 spring training average to make an impact, but the quality of his at-bats already suggests a hitter who is more comfortable controlling the strike zone.
For the Braves, that development could be significant. Harris’ late-season resurgence hinted at the player he can be when everything clicks. If the early spring trends carry into the regular season, Atlanta may see a version of its dynamic center fielder capable of delivering sustained production rather than streaks. In a lineup already built around power and depth, a confident and disciplined Harris would add another dangerous dimension right from Opening Day.
