Atlanta Braves’ 2024 season preview: Can Michael Harris II take
Is this the season when Money Mike becomes one of Major League Baseball’s finest players?
Following his 2022 Rookie of the Year season, the Braves CF faced great expectations in 2023. However, Michael Harris II had a slow sophomore season. After missing three weeks in April, Harris struggled through the end of May, posting a.174/.260/.266 slashline for a pitiful 45 wRC+.
Did Harris and the Braves panic following their sluggish start? Of course not; the 22-year-old went on a tear for the rest of the season, finishing with a 115 wRC+ and 4 fWAR. He hit 18 home runs and swiped 20 bases.
Money Mike told MLB.com that he was grateful for the insights he learned throughout his 2023 slump. Will 2024 be the season where he takes things to the next level?
What Braves fans may anticipate from Michael Harris II in 2024.
ZiPS forecasts for the young CF are actually quite cautious. Despite boasting 137 wRC+ in 2022 and 115 wRC+ in 2023, projections have Harris II slashing.279/.322/.463 with a 107 wRC+. Harris’ estimates may run into the same problem that Spencer Strider had last year, namely a lack of a big sample size at higher levels.
Harris’s own goals for next season are lofty, but they might not be lofty enough. He hopes to make his first All-Star appearance, win a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove, and the World Series.
Many in the Braves community, including the contributors here at the House That Hank Built, believe that Harris is on the verge of a breakout, and might even be the second-best position player on a very loaded squad.
Last season, Harris II was in the 96th percentile in Baseball’s Savant Baserunning Run Value and in the 89th percentile in Fielding Run Value. His xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, and Hard-Hit% were all in the 82nd percentile or higher.
After his April and May slump, the Braves CF slashed .326/.352/.535 with a 136 wRC+ from June 1 onward. This was 23rd best in MLB, tied Austin Riley and Nolan Jones. His 4.1 was 11th-best in MLB, right behind former teammate William Contreras.
If Harris II is able to mirror this production across a full season, it would not be outlandish to predict a top-10 MVP finish considering 25 homer, 25 SB, Gold Glove talent.
If he is able to improve on his Chase%, which ranked in the 6th percentile, and his BB%, which ranked in the 4th percentile, the sky’s the limit for the potential superstar. He’s had a great Spring Training thus far, let’s hope that carries over into regular season action.
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