Michael Harris II (above), Atlanta Braves center fielder, makes a catch during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on April 10, 2025. Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are 2-4 in their last six games and 14 games out of first place in the National League East. The Braves, who are off on Thursday, July 24, most recently lost two of three to the San Francisco Giants, including a 9-0 loss on Wednesday afternoon. Days earlier, the Braves lost a three-game series to the New York Yankees. Both series were played at Truist Park, and most of the games were sellouts. Those Braves fans might not have much to celebrate these days, but the resurgence of Southside native and centerfielder Michael Harris II has been a bright spot in a rough week. 

Harris II is batting nearly .300 over the past seven games. For many everyday players, reaching the .300 mark for a week of play isn’t a milestone worth recognition. For Harris II, whose batting average dipped ever so closely to the Mendoza line, this past week of play is worth discussing in print, online, and social media. 

Michael Harris II’s play in center field has been what has kept him in the Braves’ lineup. Of late, his bat is doing a good enough job of making it hard to keep him on the bench. Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves

During the past week, Harris II has had two two-hit games: at St. Louis right before the All-Star break and on Tuesday against the Giants.  

Braves manager Brian Snitker was asked about Harris’ two-hit game against the Giants on July 22, and his having hit in seven of the last eight games. Snitker said, “Hopefully he stays with it,” and “He’s trying and making adjustments.”

A day later, Harris went 1-4 against the Giants. 

The power numbers, which were never too high, are down this year (Harris II only has seven home runs in 370 at-bats), but Harris’s better play of late has yielded the opportunity to see more pitches, which can result in more home runs. The only home run Harris hit during the month of July came against the Yankees on July 19. 

There is still so much more room for improvement at the plate for Harris II. There was a time this season that Harris II was leading the team in RBI. That was two months into the season, and Braves All-Star first baseman Matt Olson had yet to go on the two-month tear that he went on to solidify a spot in the All-Star Game at Truist Park. Harris (46 RBI) has only had 5 RBI in his last 30 games, while striking out 24 times in that span. During the week of quality play in question, Harris only drove in two teammates. That has to improve in order for Harris II to have a better season. 

The defense the Braves get from Harris II in centerfield is worth the headaches he has been giving them at the plate this season. During the series against the Yankees and Giants, Harris II made catches that kept runs off the board several times. With the Braves’ pitching struggling while Chris Sale and AJ Smith-Shawver work their way back to the team from their respective injuries, Harris belongs in the Braves’ lineup playing defense behind whoever is starting for Atlanta.

Atlanta is playing in Arlington against the Texas Rangers over the weekend before playing three games in Kansas City against the Royals and two games against the Cincinnati Reds. The third of those games against the Reds will take place at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The first-ever MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol is scheduled for Saturday, August 2 (7 p.m. first pitch), and if you’re going to play a baseball game at a race track that seats 165,000 people, you’d better have a heck of a centerfielder. Michael Harris II couldn’t be playing better at a better time. 

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