Braves call up top prospect, local product to reshape outfield

The Atlanta Braves are calling up their top overall prospect and local product Michael Harris II.

It was only a matter of time before the Atlanta Braves called up top prospect, Michael Harris II.

With Travis Demeritte’s struggles at the plate, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos decided Saturday was the time to swap out one Atlanta area native for another in the outfield. As the Winder-Barrow product goes back to Triple-A Gwinnett, the former Stockbridge star will now have a chance to play for his hometown team at the big-league level. Harris will be playing right away.

Atlanta announced on Saturday morning Harris will be called up and will wear the No. 23 jersey.

Welcome to the show, Michael Harris II!

Harris will be starting in centerfield and batting ninth in his MLB debut for the Braves late Saturday afternoon, as Atlanta takes on the division rival Miami Marlins in the second game of their three-game series at Truist Park.

Atlanta Braves call up top prospect: Who is Michael Harris II?

The Braves organization prides itself on drafting and developing many local high school standouts. Youth baseball is a massive deal in the Metro Atlanta area, so it is no surprise how well the Braves have scouted the area historically. While Harris had the opportunity to play college ball at Texas Tech, he signed with his hometown team as a third-round pick in the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft.

Harris is only 21-years-old and had an estimated time of arrival at the big-league level of 2023. Some may argue he has skipped former top prospect Drew Waters in line. Waters is two years older than Harris and plays right down the road at Triple-A Gwinnett. Harris was playing a few states over in Double-AA Mississippi. Atlanta calling up Harris certainly sent out shockwaves.

Harris is not only the No. 1 prospect in the Braves organization, but No. 59 across all of baseball. Though he is the only Braves prospect ranked inside of the top 100, Atlanta did trade away some key pieces to the Oakland Athletics in the Matt Olson deal. Plus, this team is the reigning World Series champions. Harris is fortunate to be thrust onto a roster that is already so incredibly deep.

Look for Harris to help out primarily with outfield defense in the early part of his rookie season.