How did he catch that!? Harris wows with diving snag

May 29th, 2022

ATLANTA -- Michael Harris II quickly made it clear just how impactful his defense will prove to be for the Braves. In his second game with the team, Sunday's 6-3 series-finale win over the Marlins at Truist Park, Atlanta's top prospect made an unbelievable catch (it's even better in slo-mo).

In the third inning, Miami first baseman Garrett Cooper laced a liner to Harris’ glove side in center field with a projected 106.9 mph exit velocity. Harris had just seconds to decide whether he’d lay out for the ball or take it on a hop. The 21-year-old chose the former and made a tumbling grab, with the ball hitting his throwing hand before settling into the webbing of his glove. The ball had a catch probability of just 45% and a hit probability of 73%.

The Braves’ weak spot defensively had been the outfield, but that changed drastically with the return of Ronald Acuña Jr. and the addition of Harris. Having the youngster in center will allow Adam Duvall to move to left, putting less stress on the 33-year-old Gold Glover. With Harris, Atlanta’s outfield goes from a liability to one of its biggest assets.