Michael Harris II is probably not a household name among many baseball fans.

The left-handed hitting Harris. 23, has been extremely productive since his Braves debut in 2022, at the age of 21.

Harris is still a bit overshadowed in a dynamic Braves lineup that includes prominent hitters such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Marcell Ozuna.

About Michael Harris II:

Harris was a 3rd round selection of the Atlanta Braves in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.

Selected out of Stockbridge High School, in Stockbridge, Georgia, the Braves signed Harris with a $548,000 signing bonus.

The Braves were able to keep him away from a commitment to Texas Tech University. He was also heavily recruited to pitch for Louisiana State University.

Harris’ father played college baseball at Alcorn State University.

Harris was a left-handed pitcher in high school, where his fastball touched 93 miles per hour.

Harris enjoyed hitting so much, as he was so successful as a hitter, the Braves selected and developed him as an outfielder.

Growing up near Turner Field in Atlanta, Harris always wanted to play baseball for his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves.

He isn’t only playing for the Braves, he’s playing at a very, very high level.

In his early development years with the Braves, scouts were consistently evaluating Harris as a Grade 60 player-an everyday player with multiple tools, and an occasional All Star selection.

Once a switch-hitter, Harris has settled in exclusively as a left-handed hitter.

Harris uses a compact, short stoke, with an ability to make good, consistent contact.

At 6-0, 195 pounds, Harris has strength throughout his frame. He can barrel the ball to all fields, and gets enough loft on the ball to hit it out of any park.

Harris is well known for exit velocities that routinely reach 100 miles an hour, or more.

A very complete, multiple-tool player, Harris runs very well, and is always a threat to steal bases.

Defensively, Harris is superb in the outfield. He can chase down balls after getting a good read off the bat. His former pitcher arm is very evident in his ability to get great carry on his true, accurate throws. He has Gold Glove defensive ability.

Harris With The Braves:

Harris is in his fourth year with Atlanta.

Harris spent parts of only four seasons in his Braves minor league development. He graduated to the big leagues with a composite .291 batting average in 837 minor league plate appearances. He hit 14 home runs, and drove in 124 runs. He stole 47 bases in 56 attempts.

In 2022, the year he made his big league debut, MLB.com ranked Harris the top prospect in the Braves organization.

Harris won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2022, when he hit .297/.339/.514.,853 with 27 doubles, three triples, 19 home runs, and 64 RBIs in 441 plate appearances. He stole 21 bases in 22 attempts.

Last season, Harris hit 18 home runs, and drove in 57, hitting .293. He stole 20 bases once again, showing remarkable consistency in his sophomore season.

In a March 8, 2024 article from MLB.com, Harris indicated his goals for this season. “I’d like to be an All Star and finally win the Gold Glove,” Harris told Mark Bowman. “Win the World Series. Get Silver Slugger.”

His task is made a bit more difficult, as he is hitting in the same lineup with Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley. Even slugging designated hitter Marcell Ozuna gets his share of attention in the world of baseball.

As an indication of how much Harris is valued by the Braves, he was offered and signed an eight-year, $72 million contract with Atlanta in 2023. His salary will escalate from $5 million this year, to $12 million in 2030.

Harris entered play April 30 hitting .306, with three homers and 13 RBIs. He had stolen five bases.

Michael Harris II should be in every conversation that includes the Braves slugging lineup. He is clearly a star that belongs in the same sentence with Acuna Jr., Olson, Riley, and Ozuna.