Michael Harris II Sparks Braves’ Second-Half Surge – A Tale of Two Halves

The 2025 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for Braves center fielder Michael Harris II.

For the first three and a half months, Harris looked lost at the plate. He entered the All-Star break with the worst OPS (.551) among all qualified major-league hitters, slashing just .210 with almost no extra-base damage. At times, it felt like the young outfielder was pressing, searching for a spark that never came.

But baseball is a game of adjustments and Harris found his.

 

The Turnaround

Since the All-Star break, Harris has been one of the hottest players in baseball. He’s hitting a scorching .398 and slugging north of .700, with nine home runs, 10 doubles and three triples in the last 31 games. That production has flipped the narrative from disappointment to dominance.

“It’s amazing what one small adjustment can do in this sport,” Harris stated. “I knew what kind of player I could be and I’m starting to feel that now.”

The stats back him up.

Harris’ OPS has jumped from .555 before the break to 1.144 since, the third-highest mark in the majors during that stretch. His batting average since the break ranks second among regulars, a remarkable turnaround for a player who looked overmatched just weeks ago.

 

A Catalyst for the Braves

The Braves’ offense as a whole has caught fire since Harris found his rhythm. In many ways, his resurgence has been the primary reason for Atlanta’s recent run of success. Once a lineup searching for answers, the Braves suddenly look like the dangerous group many expected at the start of the year.

In fact, Harris’ 46 hits in his last 26 games are the most by a Brave in that kind of stretch since Martin Prado collected 47 in 2010. He’s doing more than just producing—he’s sparking the entire team.

 

Still Playing Catch-Up

The only problem is Atlanta dug itself into too deep of a hole in the first half of the season. Despite Harris’ heroics, the Braves remain 10 games behind the Mets for the final Wild Card spot. It’s likely too late to matter in 2025.

Make no mistake, this turnaround is massive when looking toward the future. Harris has reminded everyone of the type of player he can be, a game-changing, dynamic centerpiece. And when Harris is playing up to his potential, the Braves are a completely different team.

 

Looking Ahead

Even if Atlanta’s postseason hopes fade, Harris’ breakout is one of the most important storylines for the franchise. A first half that once looked like a step backward now feels like a learning curve; one he overcame in dramatic fashion.

If the second-half version of Michael Harris II is here to stay, the Braves’ future just got a lot brighter.