Atlanta Braves players are well-selected to the 2024 U-25 team.
The Atlanta Brave have selected one Atlanta Brave player to the regular roster of the 2024 MLB All-Under-25 Team and another player as an alternate.
Two Atlanta Braves pitchers received honorable mention. If you’re going to write an angry comment, relax. Only five brave men were eligible to participate.
Atlanta Braves pitchers Dylan Dodd, Bryce Elder, and AJ Smith-Shover and outfielders Jared Kelenic and Michael Harris II are playing under the age of 24 this year and will see significant playing time.
It should be. It would be hard to disagree with Elder and Smith-Shober, both of whom earned honorable mention on the under-25 all-age team. If all goes as the Braves hope, Elder will become the fifth starter and AJSS should be part of Gwinnett’s shuttle team in October to ensure Fried, Sale, Morton and Strider are healthy. outfield
Kelenic had his best major league season with the Mariners in 2023, appearing in just 105 games and hitting .253/.327/.419/.746 with 11 home runs. Derek Carty’s “The BAT” Athletic staff said that alone was enough to qualify as a prestigious award.
The choice depends on position, so Harris only qualifies as a central defender, choosing between him and Julio Rodriguez. The Athletic’s Stephen Nesbitt says the competition was very close.
Rodriguez bounced back (after a slow start) to play in his second All-Star Game, had a 30-30 season, and finished fourth in AL MVP voting…he’s pretty good. Defensively, Rodriguez has a 12-6 advantage in above-average strikeouts, but Harris leans from +2 to -5 in DRS.
So while J-Rod hit more home runs, his lower batting average and higher K rate led to fewer on-base appearances, while Harris, despite manager Brian Snitker putting him in the lineup. They improved as the season progressed, and their defense was poor. Split decision. . If the Atlanta Braves keep Harris at No. 9, I predict a 25/25 season. If you get to a plate that is 100 times smaller than your best bat, it’s hard to achieve 30/30.
I don’t think Harris will be ranked 9th all year long. That’s because it’s very difficult to justify putting such a good bat in a slot where it’s unlikely to produce points. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins 2nd or 5th.
Yes, there are only four games left in spring training, but one Braves player is already raising expectations for 2024. Of course, we’re talking about central defender Michael Harris II, who has scored two goals in his first seven games with AB and is getting a lot of love in the preseason.
Money Mike already has the Rookie of the Year award in his trophy case, but 2024 will be the year he takes the next step and puts the MVP award aside. Depending on how you look at it, the odds on Harris II are very good, around +8,000. By comparison, his teammate and reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. is the favorite to win it again. National League prices, odds approximately +500. However, these odds may not be doing Harris II justice, and in this article, we’ll take a look at how MH2 can put it all together to win the National League MVP.
More tools than Home Depot
First, if you’re an MVP candidate, the ability to impact the game in multiple areas is always beneficial. Michael Harris II checks those boxes and more. The 22-year-old is a five-tool player who can influence the game at any time. He ranks above the 85th percentile in base running percentage, xBA, xSLG, hard-hit percentage, OAA, arm value, and sprint speed.
He posted at least 4.0 fWAR in each of his first two seasons in the majors, including last year when he hit below the Mendoza line in May. We have yet to see the best of Michael Harris II. By most projection models, his fWAR is again around 4.0, making this his first 20-20 season as a pro. His talent is enough to push him to 3.0 fWAR, but it’s his approach and consistency that could push him into the MVP race in 2024.
However, in 2023, MH2 recorded a 114 wRC+ against LHP, compared to 115 wRC+ against LHP. RHP. With that concept out of the way, the next thing we’ll focus on is the young hitter’s discipline. I think there is room for improvement here.
Last season, Harris II ranked in the 6th percentile in pursuit percentage and 4th percentile in BB%. Reducing his lifetime O-swing rate to 41.6% would go a long way toward turning Michael Harris II into a 6 WAR player. Already in his career he’s a 125 wRC+ hitter, but his next move with the bat will take him into his 135 wRC+ zone with all his other tools.
His glove is one of the best in MLB, his speed could rank among the league leaders, and that power was on display yesterday with his 180 mph home run. All that’s left for Michael Harris II is to improve his discipline a little. If Mike can improve next year, he could be the season MVP in 2024.
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