ATLANTA — Since his debut in May, Michael Harris II quickly entered the race for National League Rookie of the Year. With another award on Monday, it appears he may already have it in the bag.
The league named Harris as the NL Rookie of the Month for the third time this year.
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The Braves outfielder finished the month of September with a .324 batting average with 19 RBI, five doubles, a triple and six home runs. Ten of his starts in September ended as multi-hit games.
Harris and his teammate Spencer Strider have been frontrunners for Rookie of the Year. However, an oblique strain for Strider placed the rookie pitcher on the IL for the final two weeks of the regular season. The MLB Awards will be announced in November.
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The Braves called up Harris on May 28 and he has shined in a starting role for his hometown team since his callup. Harris grew up in DeKalb and Henry counties and attended Stockbridge High School before the Braves drafted him.
Harris’ impressive rookie season already earned him a new contract. On Aug. 16, the centerfielder signed an eight-year, $72 million contract extension that will keep him home in Georgia for the long term.
“To be able to put a Braves jersey after being that young and watching for so long, rooting for all the players that have been through the organization, for me to be in this position is kind of crazy,” Harris told Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein after signing the contract.
His at-plate performances and flashy defense helped the Braves storm back to the top of the NL East division. The Braves will have a chance to clinch the division title on Tuesday.
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