Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris wins National League Rookie of the Year

Michael Harris of the Atlanta Braves has been named the 2022 Rookie of the Year for the National League! His Braves teammate, Spencer Strider, finished second while Brendan Donovan tried his best.

Usually, the competition comes down to two or three rookies on separate teams across the league. In 2022, it took place in Atlanta, Georgia. That is because the Braves were fortunate enough to have two legitimate Rookie of the Year candidates in Spencer Strider and Michael Harris.

While only one was able to win the Rookie of the Year award, the Braves are blessed to have both Strider and Harris on the same team. The Braves also understand the incredible talents they possessed as they locked both up to contracts during their rookie years. Both would have been controlled for years, but the Braves are betting on them playing a large role in the franchise’s future and guaranteed them money while also extending the amount of control. Strider signed a six-year $75M deal with an option for $22M in 2029, gaining two additional years of control. Harris signed an eight-year, $72M guaranteed deal with two club option years worth $30M, adding up to four more years of control.

Let’s recap their seasons:

Michael Harris energizes the Braves

From the moment Michael Harris arrived on the scene, he changed the dynamics of the Atlanta Braves. A surprising call up from AA saw the Braves top prospect firmly seal himself as the Braves center fielder for the next decade.

In 114 games, Harris hit .297/.339/.514 19 HR, 75 R, 64 RBI, 20 SB, with a .367 wOBA, & 136 wRC+. He was elite defensively with 8 DRS, 6 runs prevented, and 7 OAA. This led to Harris accumulating 5.3 bWAR & 4.8 fWAR in his rookie season. He played like a superstar from the moment he arrived.

His impact was seen by lengthening the lineup and by providing the Braves with a true center fielder. It also allowed the team to move Adam Duvall to left field where he was much more comfortable, and Duvall started hitting better before the season ending injury.

Michael Harris was needed in Atlanta in 2022. The season changed the moment he arrived. The team needed his energy and he brought it.

Spencer Strider helps the Braves hit their Stride

Spencer Strider was so much better than anyone expected in 2022. Overall, Strider appeared in 131.2 innings pitched with a 2.67 ERA, 2.39 xERA, 1.83 FIP, 2.30 xFIP, 2.41 SIERA, 3.7 bWAR, & 4.9 fWAR. This included a 38.3% strikeout rate and 8.5% walk rate. Incredibly, he set an MLB record by recording his 200th strikeout in 130.2 innings.

Strider actually started the year in the bullpen before transitioning to the starting rotation full time on May 30th in Arizona. There was no drop off in production and he took off as a starter!

• Reliever: 24.1 innings- 2.22 ERA, 1.43 FIP, 2.71 xFIP, 38.9% K rate, 11.6% BB rate
• Starter: 107.1 innings- 2.77 ERA, 1.92 FIP, 2.20 xFIP, 38.1% K rate, 7.9% BB rate

No matter the role, Strider was phenomenal in his rookie year. There were some growing pains at times, but he always bounced back at the next opportunity presented to him.

Only One Can Win

It is unfortunate that only one will be earning the Rookie of the Year honors. Both put up seasons that would be runaway rookie seasons most years. Unfortunately, there was just another guy putting together a historical rookie season. Fortunately, they wore the same Braves jersey.

Congratulations to Michael Harris! Congratulations to Spencer Strider despite falling just short. Congratulations to the Braves for finding and developing two studs. Congratulations to Braves Country for the privilege to watch both for the next decade.