After a breakout 2022 season which culminated in winning the Jackie Robinson NL Rookie of the Year award, edging out teammate Spencer Strider by 31 points in voting, Braves CF Michael Harris II has hit somewhat of a ‘sophomore slump’ this season. Having only appeared in 37 games this year due to back and knee injuries suffered early in the season, Harris is currently hitting .168 with a .254 OBP.
92.9 The Game’s own Jon Chuckery joined Beau Johnson during ‘The Beau Johnson Experience’ on Sunday night and was quick to put some things in perspective while coming to the defense of the 22-year-old centerfielder.
“He is an above-average defensive player and if you look at this numbers, he’s actually walking more, striking out less and even for the few hits that he has, he’s stealing bases when he does get on,” Jon said. “There are other little things he’s contributing to this team when he does find a way to kind of…again, it’ll even itself out but there are signs that he’s doing some things differently this year than what he did last year.”
Beau then made the point that, despite the lack of hits this season batting ninth in the order, the Braves have a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder in Harris II who is able to create opportunities for Acuña and the rest of the guys at the top of the order when he is able to reach base.
“That’s the thing about this, is that, he’s finding ways to help contribute and again, if you’re a Gold Glove centerfielder you don’t have to apologize for what your batting average is,” Jon stated in agreement. “When you play that position, arguably one of the two or three most important defensive positions on the field and when you play at that kind of level, you don’t have to apologize for whatever your bat is.”
With the Braves at 35-24 this season and holding a small lead over Miami at the top of the NL East, it’s seems like a no-brainer that once Harris II is able to shake some of the rust off that the Braves will be an even more potent offense than they were last season.