Let’s talk about the All-Star Game, which, as fate would have it, is coming to Atlanta this summer. Wouldn’t it be fitting to see a couple of homegrown Atlanta Braves talents take the field in their backyard?
Baseball America seems to think so, naming center fielder Michael Harris II and starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach as potential first-time All-Stars. And while the publication didn’t break it all down, the numbers tell us everything we need to know.
Michael Harris II: Poised for an All-Star Breakout
If you’re a Braves fan, you already know the guy is a spark plug. His overall numbers last season weren’t jaw-dropping, but when you dig into the second half, it’s a different story.
After missing significant time with an injury, he came back and absolutely tore it up. In the final 43 games of the season, he slashed .283/.318/.506 with 11 home runs and 28 RBIs.
And then came September—when Harris shifted into another gear. He hit .316 with eight homers and 18 RBIs in that month alone. Those numbers extrapolate to a staggering 50-home-run, 112-RBI pace over a full season.
If he starts 2025 the way he ended 2024, an All-Star nod feels like a given. He was even named a dark horse for the NL MVP in 2025 by MLB.com.
Spencer Schwellenbach: Ready for Prime Time
The 24-year-old righty, Spencer Schwellenbach, turned heads with an impressive rookie campaign, finishing with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 127 strikeouts in just over 123 innings. But those numbers don’t even tell the full story.
After adjusting, he settled in and became a dominant force post-All-Star break, sporting a 2.54 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in his final 15 starts. Here’s the kicker: he wasn’t called until late May. Had he been in the rotation from Opening Day, he likely would’ve been in the mix for an All-Star selection last year.
Now, he’s starting the season with the big club. No waiting, no delays. If he pitches like he did in the second half of last year, he’ll have more than just an All-Star case—he might be one of the best pitchers in the National League.
The Stars Align for the Braves
All this to say, the Braves have two young stars primed for a breakout season, and the timing couldn’t be better.
The 95th MLB All-Star Game is set for July 15 at Truist Park, and if things go according to plan, Harris and Schwellenbach could be representing Atlanta on the national stage.
