Braves: 3 catalysts for Atlanta in 10-game winning streak
By John Buhler
These Atlanta Braves players have come up big time and time again during the winning streak.
Finally, the Atlanta Braves are back to playing their brand of championship-caliber baseball.
After a slow first two months of the season, the Braves have not lost a game in June. They are currently riding a league-best 10-game winning streak. While the division rival Philadelphia Phillies are riding a 9-gamer themselves, the NL East is, in fact, not over and the hated New York Mets better watch themselves. What has gotten into the Braves of late during their current tear?
They might be piling up W’s over bad teams, but this is what they needed to do during this part of their schedule. Still, we have to give credit to these three players for being massive catalysts in Atlanta finally turning the corner. Sure, there are others, but without these three position players, the Braves are not currently riding their best winning streak in pretty much a decade or so.
May the winning ways continue, gentlemen.
Atlanta Braves: 3 biggest catalysts during their 10-game winning streak
player. CF. Atlanta Braves. 3. 17. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Michael Harris II
Calling up Michael Harris II from Double-A Mississippi has been life-changing
Atlanta’s biggest issue up to this current winning streak had been outfield defense. Forcing Adam Duvall to play centerfield every day left him with no legs and had him struggling at the plate. Once the Atlanta brass had enough of Winder native Travis Demeritte never getting a hit, the Braves rolled the dice to call up top prospect Michael Harris II out of Double-A Mississippi. It is working.
The Stockbridge native has not only provided elite defense in centerfield, but is unafraid in the batter’s box hitting predominantly in the No. 9 hole. He got to the big leagues because of his glove, but his bat has come in clutch more than a few times on this winning streak. Harris has played so well that he may never play a game for Triple-AAA Gwinnett in his life. The guy is so here to stay.
Without question, the best part of him being in the lineup every day is his best attributes (glove, speed and timely hitting) have taken pressure off key teammates, such as Duvall, to go out and play their best brand of baseball. His incredible catch had Kyle Wright turning his head from the mound, as well as Andruw and Druw Jones speechless watching it from their lower level seats.
Not to say he is an NL Rookie of the Year candidate just yet, but Harris is right at home in The ATL.