Matt Olson believes in Michael Harris II despite the Braves outfielder's recent struggles.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2022. He once again played well in 2023, but Harris struggled for the most part in 2024 and 2025. However, Harris' Braves teammate, Matt Olson, still believes in him.
"He’s one of the most talented guys on the field, any field you step on," Olson said of Harris, via Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
Harris hit .249/.268/.409 across 160 games played during the '25 campaign. He was able to record a 20/20 season (20 home runs, 20 stolen bases), but it was a down year overall for the outfielder.
Back in the 2022 season, Harris finished 13th in National League MVP voting and, as mentioned, won the NL Rookie of the Year. He ultimately slashed .297/.339/.514 to go along with an .853 OPS. He only played in 114 games, but he made the most of his opportunities.
The fact of the matter is that the Braves' offense overall took a step in the wrong direction last season. Atlanta finished 18th in batting average (.245), 14th in OBP (.320), 14th in home runs (190), 15th in hits (1,349), 13th in runs scored (724) and 13th in RBI (701).
While those rankings would be respectable for some teams, the Braves have featured some of the better offensive teams in baseball in recent years. Many of their stars endured down seasons. It was just one of those years for the ball club, but there is reason to believe that they can bounce back.
The Braves would benefit from adding an offensive upgrade or two. Atlanta has been linked to a number of players in free agency and trade rumors, but the team has yet to add a true offensive star. Nevertheless, the Braves have upgraded their roster overall, adding depth while bringing in reliever Robert Suarez to further strengthen a quality bullpen.
With all of that being said, Michael Harris II's play will go a long way toward determining how the Braves perform in 2026. If Harris can get back on track and play like he did early in his career, it would not be surprising to see him emerge as an All-Star.
It goes without saying, but Harris will be a player to watch throughout the upcoming 2026 season. Olson, one of the best first basemen in baseball, believes in him, so that should encourage Braves fans.