Coming into the 2025 season, it looked like Michael Harris II was on track to deliver an All-Star level season for the Atlanta Braves and even be a potential dark horse MVP candidate. Instead, over two months into the season, fans are wondering if the real Money Mike will make an appearance.
Despite playing elite defense, Harris is one of the worst qualified centerfielders in baseball this year thanks to a bat that has gone missing in action. With the Braves continuing to free fall, the club might have to do the unthinkable to get their centerfielder back on track.
The Braves could have no other choice but to send Michael Harris II to the minors
After winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2022, the idea that Michael Harris II would ever spend another day in the minors outside of a rehab assignment seemed unthinkable. This was seemingly solidified in 2023, when Harris put up a 3.8 fWAR season and slashed .293/.331/.477 with a 115 wRC+.
Even when he struggled for the most part in 2024, his bat was still playable with his elite defense, as he hit .250/.295/.358 with an 80 wRC+ before going down with a hamstring injury that knocked him out for two months.
2025, however, has been a different story. Harris has struggled every month, hitting .245 or worse while still continuing to swing at every pitch within five-mile radius of Cobb County. He's somehow walking less this year compared to his already career average, which is the 3rd-lowest among hitters with at least 1500 PAs since 2022.
Even worse is the fact that Harris, who seemed destined for a 20-20 season this year, has seen his power completely evaporate. The 24-year-old only has three bombs through June 6, with his last home run coming on April 19th against the Twins.
For the season, Harris's .236/.266/.333 slash has resulted in a paltry 63 wRC+, 11th-worst among qualified hitters this season.
The Braves desperately need to get Harris back on track, but if the lefty continues to look as lost as he does at the plate, they might have no option but to send him down for 10 days to get his swing back on track.
While sending down a cornerstone piece this late into their career is rare, it's not unprecedented. When the Braves optioned Jeff Francoeur down in 2008, he was also in his fourth season in the bigs. His .234/.287/.374 slashline was slightly better than what Harris is hitting now, mostly due to the fact that his power had not completely evaporated.
Of course, unlike Francoeur, the Braves have already committed a long-term contract to Harris, owing him at least $49 million after this season. The Angels had no issue outrighting David Fletcher to the minors in 2023, just two years after extending him to a five-year deal (and a contract that the Braves are currently paying).
The Boston Red Sox also marooned Rusney Castillo in the minors for three years despite owing him over $49 million.
The Braves are certainly not expecting to banish Harris to the minors forever, but if Harris cannot make the adjust quickly, the Braves might have no other option but to play Eli White and José Azócar in center while Harris relearns his power stroke.