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Braves' Michael Harris Announces Personal News Amid MLB Offseason
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves have routinely featured some of the best young players in the league over the past decade as the organization’s farm system has consistently produced high-end talent.

One of those players who continues to fly under the radar is center fielder Michael Harris, who took home National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2022.

Since then, Harris’ inconsistent offensive production has lowered his standing around the league, yet there were encouraging signs heading into 2026.

In the second half of last season, he finally rediscovered his rhythm. Across 67 games after the All-Star break, the 24-year-old posted a .299 batting average, .315 on-base percentage, .845 OPS, 14 home runs and 42 RBIs. His contributions will be essential if the Braves hope to rebound quickly.

Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23)Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports

That late-season surge has carried into the winter, and Harris recently shared a personal update that added even more positivity to his offseason. On Friday, Harris and his wife, Esther, announced in a collaborated post that they are expecting their first child.

The couple, who married just two years ago, shared a series of photos that captured their excitement as they prepare to begin a new chapter together. Their caption read, “Our love story just added a new chapter .”

With that milestone now shaping his offseason, Harris will eventually shift his focus back to baseball as he looks to build on the momentum he created late last year. Harris’ personal news arrives at a meaningful point in his career, and it adds another layer to a story that has always been tied closely to Atlanta.

He was drafted in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Stockbridge High School in Georgia, making him a rare hometown product who grew up only minutes from Truist Park.

That connection has always fueled his pride in representing the Braves, and it remains a big part of why the organization believes in his long-term upside. Even during stretches when his bat has gone quiet, his defensive excellence has never wavered.

Harris consistently grades as one of the best center fielders in baseball, so even league-average offense would make him a valuable everyday player as Atlanta looks to bounce back in 2026.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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