Home / Sports / Braves' Harris II: Underlying Metrics Offer Hope
Braves' Harris II: Underlying Metrics Offer Hope
7 Apr
Summary
- Harris II's current stats show a .209 batting average and a .530 OPS.
- Underlying metrics reveal improved hitting performance and hard-hit rates.
- Plate discipline remains a concern, with low chase and walk rates.
Michael Harris II of the Atlanta Braves is facing a slow start to the season, batting .209 with a .530 OPS and a 52 OPS+ through 44 plate appearances. This performance is a concern for the team, who expected more from their center fielder. However, a deeper dive into underlying metrics provides reasons for optimism.
Baseball Savant indicates Harris II is hitting the ball with authority, ranking in the 82nd percentile or better in several key metrics, a significant improvement from the end of the previous season. His hard-hit rates and expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) have shown substantial gains since September.
Despite these positive hitting indicators, Harris II's plate discipline remains an area for improvement. He ranks in the ninth percentile for chase rate and seventh percentile for walk rate. While his strikeout rate has decreased, his inability to draw walks is a persistent issue.
He has shown particular strength against four-seam fastballs but has struggled more against breaking balls, especially changeups. Nonetheless, the consistent hard contact suggests that his underlying performance should eventually lead to better traditional statistics, similar to his promising second half of last season.
