It's not often we mention the Atlanta Braves and speed in the same sentence. Unfortunately, the Braves ranked as the slowest team in baseball last season. That'll happen when your 70 stolen base reigning MVP goes down early in the season. Despite Acuña Jr.'s injury, the Braves don't really have many other starters who could classify as burners...outside of one guy.
We know Michael Harris II is on his way to winning a Gold Glove in centerfield one day thanks to his great jumps on baseballs, and impressive closing speed. In a recent video posted on MLB's X account Harris compared his speed to some of baseball's other speedsters, and his answers did not disappoint.
Michael Harris II said he's faster than who?! pic.twitter.com/npXR7c2Jn9
— MLB (@MLB) February 26, 2025
Michael Harris II claims to be fastest current Brave
The interview with Harris started off with the comparison of speed amongst his teammates. Harris quickly gave himself the nod in speed over Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. Harris was emphatic in his answer about being faster than lifelong friend Lawrence Butler of the A's.
However, Harris' tone changed a bit once the comparison came to 2024 stolen base champ, Elly De La Cruz. It was a quick "He's got me" from Harris who kept the same sentiment for Dbacks star Corbin Carroll.
Harris' confidence didn't completely falter though as he finished the interview by claiming to have beaten Rays top-five prospect Chandler Simpson in a race. For those who don't know, Simpson became the first minor leaguer to steal 100 bases in over a decade when he accomplished that in Double-A last season.
The ceiling for Michael Harris II is amongst the highest in the sport, but his speed was actually something that declined in 2024. Of course you can point to the hamstring issues as logical answer as to why his sprint speed dropped to 28.3 last season. However, Harris II carried a 29.4 sprint speed and recorded 47 bolts [a bolt is any run where the sprint speed (defined as "feet per second in a player's fastest one-second window") of the runner is at least 30 ft/sec.] Last season MH2 registered just one bolt.
It was a long cry from MLB's leader, Bobby Witt Jr. who carried a 30.5 sprint speed and registered 156 bolts via Baseball Savant. Perhaps a healthier 2025 will lead to money Mike backing up some of the smack talk he's issued to the league on his speed.