Michael Harris Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Most of the scouting industry seemed to prefer Harris as a lefthanded pitcher out of Stockbridge (Ga.) in 2019. He touched 93 mph with his fastball and showed feel to spin a big curveball. Harris preferred hitting, though, and the Braves liked his upside enough as a position player to give him a chance with the bat. They drafted him in the third round as an outfielder and signed him for $547,500 to forgo a Texas Tech commitment. After flashing solid tools in his pro debut after signing, Harris impressed Braves officials in 2020 with quality at-bats against many of the team’s top pitching prospects at the alternate training site. He carried that into 2021 with a breakout season at High-A Rome, finishing among the Braves organization leaders in hits (110), doubles (26), RBIs (67), stolen bases (27) and earning a selection to the Futures Game.

Scouting Report: Harris has developed rapidly into the consensus best pure hitter in the Braves’ system. Officially listed by Major League Baseball as a switch-hitter, he took all his swings from the left side in 2021 and shows impressive feel to hit with loose wrists, easy hands and impressive plate coverage. Harris’ plate coverage is so good that he gives away at-bats at times by being overly aggressive and chasing balls he can’t drive, but he identifies pitches well. When he focused on eliminating his chases on the inner half during the second half of the season, his on-base percentage shot up to .400 over the final two months. Harris has plenty of strength in his filled-out frame and drops the bat head with force throughout the zone. He routinely produces exit velocities in the 110-114 mph range, and while he hit just seven home runs this year, he played his home games in one of the toughest offensive environments in minor league baseball. All of his seven home runs came on the road, and his home (.282/.361/.363) and road (.305/.363/.498) splits suggest above-average power potential his overall numbers might not indicate. Harris combines that power potential with plus speed and aggressive baserunning that make him a dangerous stolen base threat. In addition to his offensive prowess, Harris was voted the best defensive outfielder in High-A East by league managers. He draws praise for his instincts and ability in center field and could be an above-average or plus defender at the position if he maintains his plus speed. His thicker lower half and filled-out frame raise the possibility he will slow down in the future, but he should remain an above-average defender even if he has to eventually move to a corner outfield spot. His plus arm strength will play at any position.

The Future: With above-average or better tools across the board, Harris has a chance to be an impact, everyday big leaguer. He will move to Double-A Mississippi in 2022, where the Braves would like to see him continue to mature as a hitter. His defense gives him a shot to be a very well-rounded player.