The Atlanta Braves have stars in outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and first baseman Matt Olson, but they need fellow outfielder Michael Harris II to reach that point as well. Luckily for them, the 25-year-old is 7-for-18 with five RBIs and three stolen bases in spring training thus far, a much-needed bounce back after posting a .674 OPS over 160 regular-season games in 2025.

However, Harris's three walks this spring have been what starting pitcher Grant Holmes has noticed the most so far, via Sports Illustrated's Harrison Smajovits.

“Last year, it was the walks; he really didn’t walk much,” he said. “And I feel like he’s matched his walks, if not more than spring training last year, and he’s hit the ball hard."

Harris had just one walk in 19 spring training games in 2025 before recording 16 in the regular season. The Georgia native also had a career-high 128 strikeouts.

“He still did well enough to be a player of his caliber, and I feel like, you know, with how he’s doing this spring, I feel like it’s going to rollover into the season, and it’s going to be really, really nice to have those long at-bats from him,” Holmes continued. “It’s really nice seeing him come around and be who he is.” 

To Holmes' point, Harris was second on Atlanta with 152 hits, 26 doubles, 250 total bases, and 86 RBIs. The 2019 third-round pick also led the club with six triples and 20 stolen bases.

Still, Harris improving his discipline and patience at the plate could be the final step towards him becoming a star. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder notched an .800-plus OPS in 2022 and 2023 along with a .722 mark in 2024, and he played 100-plus games in all those campaigns. He's proven his ability to get hits and slug, but he's never had more than 25 walks in a season.

Harris's development is especially important for Atlanta given Acuna's uncertain future. The latter player is entering the final year of his contract before $17 million club options in 2027 and 2028, but his market value could be too high for the Braves' taste once it's time to extend him. For example, fellow star outfielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million ($60 million AAV) deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past offseason, and Atlanta doesn't typically hand out contracts at that price.

Conversely, Harris is under team control through 2030 before team options in 2031 and 2032. If the veteran turns into a star over the next couple of years, the Braves will have plenty of chances to contend with another elite talent on an affordable contract even after Acuna's possible departure. Harris's deal has a $9 million AAV, while Acuna's is $12.5 million, per Spotrac.

Meanwhile, Olson has a club option in 2030, but he turns 32 in April and has limited prime years left. Atlanta could still compete in the NL if Harris doesn't make that jump into elite status over the next couple of seasons, but it will be tricky after that if he or someone else doesn't step up.