Michael Harris II Named Atlanta Braves Minor League Player of the Year
By Michael Neal
Michael Harris II was recently chosen by Baseball America as the 2021 Atlanta Braves minor league player of the year.
Currently, Harris is the #4 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization. He hit .294 in 2021 with seven home runs, 64 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases in 101 games with the Rome Braves.
In his minor league career, he’s slashing .288/.356/.421 with a .777 OPS in 154 games. The only thing he’s lacking is the power, which many believe will come as he continues to grow and add muscle.
Harris, a 2019 3rd-round draft pick from Stockbridge, GA, played the majority of his innings in center field, despite being initially scouted as a left-handed pitcher.
The Braves soon fell in love with his athleticism and 6-foot, 195 pound frame, and the switch to the outfield has allowed Harris to live up to his lofty expectations thus far.
Even before the 2021 season began, Braves manager Brian Snitker knew what he had in Harris, giving him lots of praise early in Spring Training (per Baseball America):
"“That’s an impressive looking ballplayer right there,” Snitker said. “You talk about skills, approach . . . I don’t think I’d lose money if I say he’s going to be a young big leaguer.”"
His production sure matched the hype, and the praise will only continue to get stronger if he continues to perform at this high of a level during his minor league career.
Grouped into a remarkable class of outfield talent with the likes of Cristian Pache and Drew Waters, Harris will draw soaring expectations next year, and will look to continue to establish himself as a legitimate five-tool player.
He’ll likely begin the 2022 season at Double-A, which is a very hard league to hit in. That will be the ultimate test for Harris and just how big of a prospect he will become for the Braves.
Braves vs. Dodgers: Game 3 Predictions. dark. Next
The sky’s the limit for Harris, who will continue his ascension within the Braves farm system, and maybe even climb his way to becoming the organization’s number one prospect in the process.