We knew a Braves player was going to take home the Rookie of the Year trophy; it was just a matter of who. That was decided tonight on MLB Network, which was an absurdly long production to give out just two awards. It needs to be 30 minutes, maximum. I digress. The winner was Michael Harris II, as he beat out Spencer Strider for the honor.
What an incredible rookie season for @MoneyyyMikeee and @SpencerSTRIDer!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/JCWae7T33i
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 15, 2022
I thought it was going to be Strider. That’s who I would have voted for because of how dominant he was once the club placed him in the rotation. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rookie pitcher perform so extraordinarily. Strider might have won the Cy Young had he begun the season as a starting pitcher. However, there really was no wrong answer. You could say the same thing about Michael Harris III as an MVP candidate.
In just 114 games, Harris hit a hair below .300 with 19 homers and 21 stolen bases. He boasted a healthy .853 OPS, and if there really is a rookie wall, Harris ran right through it. Offense aside, his defense alone makes him a positive addition to the team. He has a legit claim at being the best centerfielder in baseball; it’s a robbery he wasn’t nominated for the Gold Glove award.
ROY voting breakdown for #Braves duo. Michael Harris II got 22 of the 30 first place votes with Spencer Strider receiving the other 8 as Harris edged his teammate 134-103 to capture the honor. pic.twitter.com/L2UGxB95A1
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 15, 2022
Harris joins his teammate, Ronald Acuña Jr, as the last Braves to win the award. Nine Braves in total have been named NL Rookie of the Year in the past.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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