ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves, looking to upgrade their outfield defense, called up top prospect Michael Harris from Double-A Mississippi on Saturday.
Harris, 21, is starting in center field and hitting ninth against the Miami Marlins.
The addition of Harris allows the Braves to move Adam Duvall from center field to one of the corner spots in the outfield.
When asked how Harris can help the Braves, manager Brian Snitker said, “Well, just the defensive part of it.”
“We wouldn’t have brought him up if we didn’t think he could help us come up and win games,” Snitker said. “I mean, we’re trying to win games.”
Harris played at Class-A Rome in 2021 and has never played at the Triple-A level. Snitker usually is reluctant to rush a player to the majors but said he believes Harris is “a guy who checks all the boxes.”
“Just he’s a very impressive kid and I enjoy watching him and being around him and getting to know him,” Snitker said. “He’s a quality kid.”
Snitker envisions an outfield with Ronald Acuña Jr. in right field, Harris in center field and Duvall in left field. That would allow Marcell Ozuna, who is starting in left field on Saturday, to serve as the primary designated hitter.
Acuña, making a comeback from knee surgery, is the designated hitter and hitting leadoff on Saturday. Acuña missed three consecutive starts with a strained right quadriceps before coming off the bench for a pinch-hit double in Atlanta’s 6-4 win over Miami on Friday night.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Harris of the chance to play beside Acuña. “I’m really excited to see how that goes. I’m really excited to be here and have fun with the guys.”
Travis Demeritte, who snapped an 0-for-34 slump with a run-scoring single on Friday night, was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. Demeritte was hitting .213 with three homers.
Harris (6-0, 195) is from Stockbridge High School in metro Atlanta. Former Braves outfielder Jason Heyward also is from Henry County. Harris says he was often was compared with Heyward, now with the Chicago Cubs, as he developed as a prospect.
“As I grew people were comparing me to him and saying I reminded them of him,” Harris said. “It really opened my eyes and gave me a lot of confidence.”
Harris was hitting .305 with five homers, 33 RBIs and 11 stolen bases at Mississippi. He said he was told of his promotion after Friday night’s game in Pensacola, Florida, leading to a night with little sleep and a flight to Atlanta.
Harris added it was a surreal feeling to walk into the Braves clubhouse and see his name on a jersey at his locker.
“Nothing can really match the moment actually being here,” he said. “You can always dream about it. But actually being here, I don’t think anything tops it at all.”