Star Braves outfielder has two of MLB's Top Ten defensive plays of 2023

The Atlanta Braves are going to be just fine on defense for a while

The Atlanta Braves have hit on several of their draft picks in the last few seasons, and one of those guys is putting on a defensive clinic in the outfield.

MLB Network counted down their top ten defensive plays of the 2023 season, and the Braves were in the list three times. 

Centerfielder Michael Harris II was involved in all three plays, but maybe not in the way that you're expecting.  

Number seven on the countdown was Harris alertly starting a triple play against Boston on July 26th in Fenway Park. Expertly fielding a low liner off the bat of 1B Triston Casas, Harris threw behind runner Adam Duvall to double him off at first base. Olson then alertly fired across the diamond to third baseman Austin Riley, who tagged runner Masataka Yoshida who tagged up and tried to advance from 2nd when Harris' throw went in to first base. 

It was the first triple play of the 2023 season and Atlanta's first turned triple play since 2004. The 8-3-5 triple play itself hasn't happened since 1884, which also (weirdly) involved both the Braves franchise and the city of Boston. The Boston Beaneaters turned a 8-3-5 triple play against the Providence Grays on June 7th of that year, per SABR. 

#2 on the countdown is a little more familiar to Braves fans, as it was the game-ending 8-5-3 double play to close out Atlanta's game two victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. 

However, all of Atlanta's inclusions on the list weren't highlights for Harris. The centerfielder was robbed for play #6 by Arizona Diamondbacks centerfielder Corbin Carroll, who succeeded Harris as NL Rookie of the Year with his unanimous 2023 win. 

Harris sent a rocket to the left-center gap, but Carroll, who was top seven in sprint speed at an elite 30.1 feet/second, used every bit of the acceleration and speed to close the gap and make a sliding catch on June 2nd to back up starting pitcher Merrill Kelly.  

Harris finished the season in sixth place in Outs Above Average amongst centerfielders with at least 1000 innings logged at the position in 2024, and showed that he's good at making highlight reels, too. 

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