2024 will see the beginning of stardom for a rising star on the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves boast a number of players, including Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Spencer Strider, who are regarded as some of the finest in the MLB at their position.
But after the 2024 season, if one of Atlanta’s rising stars has his way, he’ll be talking about it.
Michael Harris II, a centerfielder, has high expectations for the 2024 campaign. If he fulfills them, he will rank among the best players in baseball at his position.
In an interview with Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Harris outlined his goals:
“My ultimate goal is to become an All-Star and secure the Gold Glove,” expressed Harris. “Take home the World Series victory. Purchase a silver slugger.
Indeed, that does appear to be a lot. But is it really?
Think about this: Harris had a fantastic second half of the 2023 season despite being hurt early on, missing time due to a back injury that necessitated an injured list term, and then a knee injury that he managed to play through.
After Marcell Ozuna gave a motivational speech on June 7th, Harris hit.335/.360/.552 with 16 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 100 games from that date until the end of the season.
For those who were curious, the outfield Silver Sluggers for 2023 are: Juan Soto (now in the American League), Mookie Betts (now a shortstop in Los Angeles), and Ronald Acuña Jr. (who might very well repeat).
Harris has an opportunity there.
Colorado’s Brenton Doyle won the National League centerfield gold glove and was rated as the top outfield defense in MLB the previous season.
However, he only managed a.203 average last season, striking out more than 150 times in 121 games and ending with a meager 52 OPS+.
That meager offense means he won’t be in the majors for the entire season, but managers often give their best defenders more latitude.
Harris also has a chance to make the All-Star Team; Acuña Jr., Betts, and Corbin Carroll were the starters last year, and Lourdes Guerriel, Nick Castellanos, and Juan Soto were the alternates.
Harris may get into the Midsummer Classic if two of those names are removed from Betts and Soto and the late-season pace (along with Braves Country’s voting power) is maintained.
The finest of them all, though, would be a World Series championship.
