As shocking as it might be, Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker sitting Michael Harris for most of a weekend series didn't solve the outfielder's woes. The same frustrating at-bat tendencies were still present in his return to the lineup.
While Harris did manage to get a triple, it was on a play that many outfielders are able to make. The ball got on the outfielder quicker than expected, neither getting behind the ball nor managing to make the play. Regardless, it is noteworthy that Harris at least managed to garner one hit in his return to the lineup. Still, there was nothing in Tuesday night's game suggesting any meaningful changes.
For Harris to truly have a chance to turn his season around, the Braves need to make a harsh decision. As difficult as it might seem to send the outfielder down, it is the correct decision. It isn't as if Harris is helping the team win games or that demoting him will put the veteran at any risk. Gwinnett gives Harris a chance to take a breath and attempt to correct the myriad of offensive issues the center fielder is currently facing.
The Braves Must Continue to Consider Demoting Micheal Harris
It's a difficult decision to make when you look at the contract of Harris and the career path. Everything about this season has been an outlier offensively. One cannot point to one specific issue as the cause or reason for the alarming regression. Harris has always been an aggressive hitter, but has been capable of maintaining a far higher contact rate.
However, the fact that this is even a discussion heading into July is telling. A player who you've already established as a building block of the future is struggling at that was impossible to predict. Benching the outfielder is worth a shot, but not the most likely fix.
For Harris to be able to return to the version of himself Braves fans are used to seeing, there needs to be a drastic change. One that starts by demoting the center fielder and giving him a chance to evaluate every possible change.