Michael Harris II
Michael Harris II | |
---|---|
![]() Harris with the Braves in 2022 | |
Atlanta Braves – No. 23 | |
Outfielder | |
Born: DeKalb County, Georgia | March 7, 2001|
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
MLB debut | |
May 28, 2022, for the Atlanta Braves | |
MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
Batting average | .297 |
Home runs | 19 |
Runs batted in | 64 |
Teams | |
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Michael Machion Harris II (born March 7, 2001) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Braves in the third round of the 2019 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2022.
Early life and amateur career
Michael Harris II was born to Michael Harris Sr. and LaTaucha Harris.[1][2] He has a sister, Mikaylah.[3] Harris attended Stockbridge High School in Stockbridge, Georgia.[4] He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He signed with the Braves for a bonus of $548,000,[6][7] forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at Texas Tech University,[8] as well as a desire to attend veterinary school.[9] Prior to considering Texas Tech, Harris had been recruited by the Louisiana State Tigers baseball team solely as a pitcher.[1]
Professional career
Minor leagues
Harris started his professional career that year with the Gulf Coast Braves before being promoted to the Rome Braves.[10] Over 53 games between the two teams, he batted .277/.344/.393 with two home runs and 27 runs batted in.
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season due to COVID-19, he did not play for a team.[11] In 2021, the Braves invited him to their spring training.[12] He spent the 2021 season with the Rome Braves, slashing .294/.362/.436 with seven home runs, 64 runs batted in, and 27 stolen bases.[13] In June, he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.[14][15]
Harris was again invited to spring training by the Braves in 2022.[16][17] He was assigned to the Mississippi Braves to begin the 2022 season, slashing .305/.372/.506 with five home runs, 33 runs batted in, and 11 stolen bases in 43 games before being called up to the major leagues.[18] During the 2022 season, Harris was ranked the 63rd-best prospect in all of Minor League Baseball, and the Braves' best prospect.[19]
Atlanta Braves
On May 28, 2022, Harris was selected to the major league roster, and he made his debut later that day against the Miami Marlins.[20][21] Harris struck out in his first major league at-bat, and later on in the same game, recorded his first hit, a single, and scored his first run.[22] While facing the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 31, Harris drove in his first career run.[23] Harris hit his first career home run against the Washington Nationals on June 13.[24] During the month of June, Harris had a .347/.371/.574 slash line. Of his 35 hits, 13 were extra base hits. He also drove in 16 runs, stole four bases, and won the Rookie of the Month Award.[25][26] On August 17, the Braves and Harris agreed to an eight-year contract extension worth at least $72 million.[27][28][29] As the season continued, Harris, teammate Spencer Strider, and the Braves' later call-up Vaughn Grissom were considered possible National League Rookie of the Year candidates.[30][31][32] Harris was again named Rookie of the Month for August, posting a .337/.400/.590 slash line. Sixteen of his rookie-leading 32 hits during the month were for extra bases.[33][34] In September, Harris was recognized as Rookie of the Month for the third time, having batted .324 with six home runs and 19 RBIs.[35] Harris won his fourth Rookie of the Month award in September, with six home runs, 19 RBIs, five doubles and four stolen bases and a .324 batting average.[36]
References
- ^ a b Bowman, Mark (October 8, 2022). "Harris carries friend's memory with him into 1st postseason". MLB.com. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
- ^ Yates, Clinton (September 30, 2022). "Michael Harris' baseball life has always been in Braves Country". Andscape. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ O'Brien, David (May 28, 2022). "Michael Harris II shines in Braves' most anticipated debut since 2018". The Athletic. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Hummer, Steve (June 10, 2019). "Stockbridge's Harris now a Brave, ready to go to work on a dream". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Goodman, Darius (June 4, 2019). "Stockbridge High's Michael Harris drafted by Atlanta in the third round". Henry Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Cleveland, Rick (April 22, 2022). "ATLANTA BRAVES' NO. 1 PROSPECT MICHAEL HARRIS IS A CHIP OFF THE OLD ALCORN STATE BLOCK". The Pine Belt News. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Schlossberg, Dan (May 30, 2022). "Braves Promote Blue-Chip Rookie Michael Harris II Ahead Of Schedule". Forbes. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Goodman, Darius (November 18, 2018). "Michael Harris II commits to Texas Tech to continue baseball career". Henry Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Toscano, Justin (June 4, 2022). "Love for animals nearly took Braves outfielder Michael Harris to vet school". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Burns, Gabe (November 4, 2020). "Michael Harris Is Poised To Rise Quickly". Baseball America. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Adler, David (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ O'Brien, David (March 10, 2022). How local product Michael Harris is turning heads with the Braves this spring. The Athletic. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Harris: Braves 2021 Minor League Player of the Year". Baseball America.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (July 8, 2021). "Braves prospect Harris gets high praise". MLB.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Burns, Gabriel (June 30, 2021). "Drew Waters, Michael Harris named to 2021 Futures game". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (March 7, 2022). "'He's unreal': Top prospect Harris continues to turn heads at Braves camp". MLB.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Toscano, Justin (March 6, 2022). "'An absolute freak': Top Braves prospect Harris has always turned heads". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Harris 2022 Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ Trujillo, Nick (May 2, 2022). "Harris II extends on-base streak with first career multihomer game". MLB.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Toscano, Justin (May 28, 2022). "Braves call up top prospect Michael Harris for his MLB debut". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (May 28, 2022). Braves call up top prospect Harris to bolster OF. MLB.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ Riker, John (May 28, 2022). "Braves' top prospect Michael Harris impresses in his debut". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ Toscano, Justin (June 1, 2022). "Braves waste 4-run lead, 4-hit night from Matt Olson". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ^ "Albies breaks foot, but Braves beat Nats for 12th straight". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ Harrigan, Thomas (July 2, 2022). "J-Rod, Harris recognized as June's Rookies of the Month". MLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ "Braves sign OF Michael Harris II". MLB.com. August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ Toscano, Justin (August 16, 2022). "Braves keep young star Michael Harris home with eight-year contract extension". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (August 16, 2022). "Braves sign rookie Harris to 8-year deal". Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ "Atlanta Braves, Michael Harris II agree to 8-year, $72 million extension". ESPN.com. August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ O'Brien, David (August 21, 2022). "Braves rookies are thriving, and their colorful personalities are showing". The Athletic. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
- ^ Toscano, Justin (August 24, 2022). "'The kid can just hit': Vaughn Grissom's first two weeks with Braves a success". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
- ^ Olney, Buster (August 27, 2022). "How Vaughn Grissom and Michael Harris II became the Atlanta Braves' latest homegrown stars". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Brian (September 3, 2022). "Kirby, Harris named August's top rookies". Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- ^ Toscano, Justin (September 3, 2022). "Braves outfielder Michael Harris wins second NL Rookie of the Month award". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Harris II wins ROTM". MLB.com. October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ Palattella, Henry (October 3, 2022). "Harris, Kwan slug way to Rookies of Month for September". MLB.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Articles with short description
- 2001 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from DeKalb County, Georgia
- Baseball players from Georgia (U.S. state)
- African-American baseball players
- Major League Baseball outfielders
- Atlanta Braves players
- Gulf Coast Braves players
- Rome Braves players
- Mississippi Braves players
- 21st-century African-American sportspeople