Two Impressive Rookies Help Atlanta Braves Chase The New York Mets

The Atlanta Braves are the defending World Series Champions. Can they do it again?

Freddie Freeman, the very popular former five-time Atlanta Braves All Star, now wears the uniform of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This offseason, Freeman, 32, left Atlanta and signed a six-year $185M free-agent contract with the Dodgers.

In what has developed into quite a controversy regarding Freeman’s free-agent negotiations with the Braves, Atlanta replaced Freeman at first base with Matt Olson. Olson, 28, was obtained in a trade with Oakland in March, for four young players.

With Freeman gone, the World Champion Braves are trying to defend their title with All Star Ronald Acuna, a surging All Star shortstop Dansby Swanson, powerful third baseman Austin Riley, new first baseman Matt Olson, and All Star Travis D’Arnaud behind the plate, as the nucleus of their offense. And one can’t forget All Star designated hitter William Contreras, who catches and plays the outfield for Atlanta.

As they enter play July 12, the Braves trail the New York Mets by 2.5 games in the National League East.

Blending an outstanding offense with quality pitching, the Braves have closed considerable ground on the Mets in recent weeks. Clearly, two young rookies have played significant roles in the Braves quest to retain their crown.

Right-handed starting pitcher Spencer Strider and Centerfielder Michael Harris II have contributed stellar play to help the Braves challenge the Mets for the top spot in the NL East.

About Spencer Strider:

Spencer Strider, 23, was one of several top rookie prospects in offseason conversations.

Those familiar with Atlanta Braves prospects were bullish on left-handers Kyle Muller, Tucker Davidson, and Jared Shuster as three very solid prospect pitchers in the team’s farm system. Right-handers Bryce Elder, and Spencer Strider were also in the conversations about the deep and high-quality Braves prospect pitchers. A third top shelf righty, Ryan Cusick was traded to Oakland in the deal for Matt Olson.

That’s a very hefty stable of quality pitching prospects. And the Braves tapped into that depth, giving Spencer Strider the chance he needed.

Strider was a 4th round pick of the Braves in the 2020 draft out of Clemson University.

As a freshman at Clemson, Strider struck out 70 in 51 innings. He then underwent Tommy John surgery, requiring him to miss his sophomore season.

As noted by Baseball America, Strider received a signing bonus of $449,300 from the Braves.

Strider flew through the Braves development program. He pitched for four teams at four classifications in his professional rookie season in 2021. Throwing 94 composite minor league innings, Strider finished with a record of 3-7, and a 3.64 ERA in 21 starts. He worked relief in one additional game.

Strider struck out 14.6 hitters per nine innings in development last year, while walking 3.8 hitters per nine.

He jumped up the Braves prospect rankings, and the baseball world began to take notice.

During the 2021 season, The Braves promoted him to the parent Atlanta club, where he made his MLB debut by pitching in relief in two October games. He completed a total of 2.1 innings out of the bullpen.

This season, Strider has pitched exclusively in the big leagues. He has appeared in 19 games, starting eight of them. He has thrown 65.2 innings and has only yielded three home runs. Strider has a 2.60 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP.

According to brooksbaseball.net, Strider is throwing his four-seam fastball at 98.63 miles per hour. He also has a changeup and slider. Basically, Strider relies upon his fastball/slider combination, with the changeup used to keep the hitter off-balance and guessing. His changeup is still a work in progress.

At the big league level, Strider is still striking out 14.1 hitters per nine innings. His walk rate has remained about the same as well, at 3.4 walks per nine innings.

Strider throws much harder than one might expect from his 6-0, 195 pound frame.

Strider’s fastball “explodes” at the finish. If at all possible, a hitter is wise to try to differentiate between the fastball and slider early out of Strider’s hand. The late vertical break on his slider is the issue for the hitter. Strider feasts on swings and misses.

While there is always risk regarding a pitcher following Tommy John surgery, the rewards Strider has delivered so far have provided a huge boost to a Braves pitching staff that awaits the return of right-handed starter Mike Soroka from Achilles tendon surgery.

Strider has nicely filled the gap created by Soroka’s injury.

So far, Strider fits in a very formidable rotation that currently includes lefty Max Fried, Strider, veteran righty Charlie Morton, right-hander Kyle Wright and righty Ian Anderson.

About Michael Harris II:

Left-handed hitting Michael Harris II turned 21 in March.

Harris was selected by the Braves in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft out of Stockbridge (Georgia) High School. He was a two-way player in high school. However, the Braves have used him strictly as a position player.

The Braves gave Harris a $115,788 signing bonus.

Harris played parts of only three seasons in his minor league development. In fact, he has not played Triple-A baseball, as he was promoted from Double-A Mississippi. He made his debut for the Braves May 28 against the Miami Marlins. He has claimed the centerfield role, and has been a steady contributor since his arrival at the major league level.

Harris is an outstanding athlete. He had an excellent spring in 2021, gaining the attention of scouts. The Braves noticed as well. In fact, Harris was named to the 2021 MLB All Star Futures Game last year.

At the start of play July 12, Harris is hitting .294/.325/.510/.835 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 160 plate appearances. He has stolen seven bases without being caught.

Harris was always viewed as a good prospect. However, centerfielder Cristian Pache, a very good defensive centerfielder, was always seen as the centerfielder of the future in Atlanta. Pache was traded to Oakland in the deal that brought Matt Olson to the Braves.

It is very possible Harris will become a better career hitter than Pache, who is still struggling at the plate.

Harris has hit and played his way into the lineup as the team’s regular centerfielder.

Harris has a short, measured swing that is designed to make contact and spray the ball to all fields. Harris has more power in his 6-0, 195 pound frame than one might imagine at first glance. While he’ll hit his share of home runs, he is best suited to hit the gaps and score runs with above-average speed on the bases.

But to this scout, Harris has just begun to tap in to power that could be consequential as he matures physically and learns the opposing pitchers.

A good defensive outfielder with a strong arm that was developed while pitching in high school, the Braves are able to use Harris anywhere in the outfield, including right field.

Conclusions:

All Star Ronald Acuna Jr. is surrounded on the Atlanta Braves roster by an outstanding group of quality hitters and excellent pitchers.

In fact, Acuna will be joined on the 2022 National League All Star team by catcher Travis d’Arnaud, shortstop Dansby Swanson. pitcher Max Fried, and catcher/outfielder William Contreras.

Braves manager Brian Snitker will manage the National League roster for the All Star Game in Los Angeles.

After winning the 2021 World Series, the Braves are in a heated pennant race with the New York Mets.

Two outstanding young rookie players, right-handed starter Spencer Strider and centerfielder Michael Harris II have delivered game-altering impact on the team’s major league roster.

Strider, still only 23, and Harris, remarkably good at the age of 21, have helped stabilize the club and have lengthened and deepened their rotation and starting lineup.

The Braves and Mets began a three game series in Atlanta July 11. New York took the first game, 4-1 behind the outstanding pitching of ace Max Scherzer.

The Braves and New York play each other August 4-7 in New York, and August 15-18 in Atlanta.

Then during the last week of the season, in what could be a dramatic series, the teams play each other September 30, and October 1 and 2 in Atlanta.

Both the Braves and the Mets will have one more series after their three-game late season showdown. The Mets will play Washington for three games at home. Atlanta will play at home against the Miami Marlins to end the season.

The Mets were 10.5 games ahead in the National League East as recently as June 1.

Not now.

At this stage of the 2022 season, heading to the annual All Star break, the Atlanta Braves have been nipping at the heels of the New York Mets.

Much of the Braves success is attributable to young rookies Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II. If they keep up their early success, they could help lead the team to a very exciting postseason berth. Or maybe even more.