NORTH PORT, Fla. — Has Michael Harris II allowed himself to set a aim of reaching a 30-30 season?
“I suppose if I do no matter I do know I can do, it is potential,” Harris stated. “However I suppose I am unable to actually put a quantity on what I count on myself to do. As a result of in baseball, you are able to do all the pieces proper and nonetheless get out, do all the pieces flawed and nonetheless get a success. You’ll be able to’t actually predict it. It is already a recreation of failure. So a 30-30 season can be wonderful, however I am unable to actually put that as a legit aim.”
Why not? It actually appears attainable if the Braves middle fielder avoids the accidents which have sidelined him the previous two years and eventually will get an opportunity to point out what he can do over the whole lot of a 162-game season.
“Taking a look at him, he appears to be in nice form,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “You’ll be able to inform he’s been working onerous within the offseason. Hopefully that results in him having the ability to publish for many of the season.”
Not dangerous for a participant who has performed simply 4 full seasons above the highschool degree. Harris will flip 24 on March 7.
“The final two years with accidents is one thing I’ve by no means actually handled in my profession,” Harris stated. “It felt prefer it snuck up on me. I really feel like I used to be doing all the pieces proper to remain ready. Issues simply sneak up on you and also you’ve received to deal with it. Now I do know what to do and what to not do. Now I’m motivated to start out the season the best way I ended it.”
Harris tweaked his again through the first full week of the 2023 season after which aggravated the ailment whereas lifting weights. He missed a major a part of April and was hitting .163 with a .490 OPS by June 6. He hit .335 with 16 homers and a .912 OPS over the 100 video games that adopted.
The suburban Atlanta native produced an .823 OPS over the 43 video games that adopted his two-month injured record stint final yr.
Harris’ manufacturing following the extended absences has fueled pleasure about his potential.
Harris has hit .285 with 53 homers, 50 steals and a .794 OPS over the 362 video games he has performed by means of his first three seasons. He completed one dwelling run shy of a 20-20 season throughout his rookie yr and two homers shy in 2023. He completed with simply 10 steals in ’24. However with the hamstring situation behind him, he actually may bid for his first 20-20 season, or possibly even a 30-30 season.
To get a really feel for what Harris is perhaps able to over a whole season, here’s a take a look at his yearly manufacturing:
2022 (114 video games): .297 BA, 19 homers, 20 stolen bases, .853 OPS162-game tempo: 27 HRs and 28 SBs
2023 (138 video games): .293 BA, 18 HR, 20 SB, .808 OPS162-game tempo: 21 HRs and 23 SBs
2024 (110 video games): .264 BA, 16 HRs, 10 SBs, .722 OPS162-game tempo: 24 HRs and 14 SBs
How exceptional would it not have been for Harris to tally three straight 20-20 seasons? The one 5 gamers to ever whole three 20-20 seasons at 23 or youthful are Julio Rodríguez (2022-24), Andruw Jones (1998-2000), Alex Rodriguez (1997-99), Cesar Cedeno (1972-74) and Vada Pinson (1959-62).
Accidents have additionally derailed the bids of different younger gamers, Ronald Acuña Jr. included, able to producing just a few 20-20 seasons early of their respective careers. However the above numbers no less than spotlight why a 30-30 season wouldn’t essentially be a shock if Harris stays wholesome.
“I really feel like I ready completely this offseason,” Harris stated. “Now, I simply must do no matter I can to verify I keep wholesome.”
