Center fielder Michael Harris II delivered in the clutch during the Atlanta Braves’ 6-4 comeback win over the Minnesota Twins, going 2-for-4 with a game-tying two-run single and a stolen base. It was a much-needed breakthrough—Harris had been hitting just .154 with a .580 OPS with runners in scoring position and hadn’t recorded a hit with a runner on third all season until that moment.
Friday’s performance, though, may have marked a turning point. Harris said his confidence was growing after a sharp single earlier in the game, the result of adjustments he’d been working on finally paying off.
“I was working on some stuff today, and I was finally getting results in that at-bat,” Harris said. “It gave me a lot of confidence. In that bases-loaded situation, I had all the confidence in the world.”
He also emphasized a mindset shift for the whole team—focusing on keeping the rally alive instead of trying to be the hero.
“I guess everyone has tried to be a hero in certain situations,” Harris admitted. “[Friday], we were just trying to get the next man on and move him over.”
Sticking to that more disciplined approach helped him stay composed and simplified his at-bats. Braves manager Brian Snitker noticed, praising Harris for his improved patience at the plate.
“One thing I liked from Michael today was that he saw some pitches,” Snitker said. “I think he had some patient at-bats, and we saw what he can do when he does that.”
When ahead in the count, Harris has posted a .933 OPS, compared to .744 when swinging at the first pitch—highlighting the impact of staying selective.
His resurgence could have ripple effects. When the Braves win, Harris hits .364 with a .946 OPS; in losses, those numbers drop to .122 and .341. The Braves don’t need everyone to get hot—just one consistent bat like Harris can change the momentum of a game and maybe even a season.
As we saw late last year, a confident, locked-in Harris can be a game-changer. Friday may have been the first step in him getting back to that form—and just in time to spark a turnaround.
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