As we enter into the second half of the season, one thing is for sure when it comes to the Atlanta Braves: they need a spark, especially on the offensive side. With injuries riddling the rotation, including Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach, the offense will be key in the second half.
One player that needs to pull their weight in the box or could find themselves on the outside looking in is Michael Harris II. The 2022 NL Rookie of the Year winner has not put up the type of numbers expected of him this season, which could result in manager Brian Snitker looking for other options in center field.
It May Be Time Brian Snitker Looked for a Michael Harris Replacement
While Harris is currently on fire defensively in center field, with no errors yet this season in 214 chances, his offensive output through the first half has represented career lows in many areas, including batting average and WAR. He is hitting just .210 this season, even though his career average entering the season was .285. Harris’s current WAR is a meager .3, against a 3.93 season average WAR entering the season.
For now, Harris’s glove seems to be enough to keep him in the lineup card, but Snitker has options in the center field spot to fill the void. While Eli White’s numbers aren’t on fire, currently sitting on a .242 batting average, .282 on base percentage, and a WAR of .4, regular playing time could result in an increase in output if given the opportunity.
If recent call-up Nacho Alvarez Jr. can make the most of his second chance on the big-league roster before the return of Austin Riley, someone on the roster could be looking at a move like what happened to Alex Verdugo, who was designated for assignment on July 2. That could very well be Michael Harris II if the lack of production doesn’t change.
A trip to the minors for a retool could be what Harris needs, but it could backfire, shaking the confidence of the young star. Time will tell as to what Snitker will or won’t do with Harris in center as we move through the season, but one thing is for sure: the clock is ticking on Harris.