Senior MLB reporter
It was midsummer 2022, and Michael Harris II was still wondering how much of the season he’d spend in the majors when a clubhouse attendant approached him to say that Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos wanted to speak with him.
The Braves’ top prospect turned 21 a month before Opening Day that season and debuted for his hometown club in late May — to instant success. By the All-Star break, he had an OPS of .816 while patrolling center field for the reigning champions en route to Rookie of the Year honors.