The center fielder’s elite two-way production provides an under-the-radar weapon for the looming Wild Card Series.
Michael Harris II spent much of last season trying to find his way back to being the hitter the Atlanta Braves expected. With the postseason arriving Tuesday, he's giving the organization a pretty good reason to believe that version of him is back.
Harris collected four hits in Atlanta's 8-3 win over Miami on Saturday, finishing with two doubles and two singles. The performance pushed his season total to 36 doubles and gave him 20 since the All-Star break, continuing a second half that has looked considerably different from where he was a year ago.
After the game, Harris acknowledged how much the turnaround has meant to him personally.
"Especially coming off last season, a season I didn't really want to have," Harris said, via Braves Vision. "I guess in the first half, but then kind of cleaned it up second half and kind of wanted to go keep that going this whole season."
That consistency is what makes his recent production particularly interesting for Atlanta. Harris has hit .355 with a .375 on-base percentage and .516 slugging percentage over his last 15 games. He's also putting together his best season by wRC+ and fWAR since winning National League Rookie of the Year in 2022.
Yet with Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin attracting much of the attention heading into October, Harris has largely remained outside the spotlight.
Braves manager Walt Weiss hasn't overlooked what the center fielder has provided.
"He's had a hell of a year, both sides of the ball," he said, via Braves Vision. "Made an unbelievable impact."
That two-way production could become particularly important in October, especially considering Harris' previous postseason experience. During Atlanta's last playoff appearance, he was one of the few Braves hitters to produce consistently against San Diego. His career numbers in high-leverage situations also offer some encouragement, with a 123 wRC+ and .834 OPS, both above his marks in lower-pressure situations.
Saturday offered another reminder of what Harris brings defensively, too.
Acuña made a leaping catch at the right-field wall to rob Heriberto Hernández of a home run in the first inning.
"His vert is insane," Harris said. "When he gets back to the wall and has a chance to make a catch, he can get up there pretty high."
The Braves will need that kind of defense, but their lineup could depend just as heavily on Harris carrying his recent offensive production into the postseason.
Atlanta has already secured the NL East and will host a Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday. Harris enters that series riding one of his strongest stretches of the year, giving the Braves another established bat to rely on behind their biggest names.
For a player who spent last season searching for consistency, the timing couldn't be much better.
