Michael Harris II Got Snubbed for the All-Star Game and Nobody Can Explain It

Michael Harris II is hitting .302. He’s got 16 homers and 51 RBIs. His OPS sits at a career-best .840. And somehow, the guy didn’t make the initial All-Star roster.

That’s the kind of snub that gets former players genuinely fired up. Foul Territory posted the question on X — “How did Michael Harris II not make the initial All-Star roster?” — and the replies basically wrote themselves. Fans and analysts alike are scratching their heads.

Harris is 25 and playing the best baseball of his life. He missed time earlier this year with an injury, but since returning he’s been a consistent force in the Braves lineup. And it’s not just the raw numbers. It’s the way he’s getting there.

What changed at the plate

Harris reworked his stance this season. According to Athlon Sports, he went back to an older look — raising his hands, setting them near his shoulders, widening his stance from 18 degrees to 26 degrees. He’s also standing further up in the batter’s box.

Sounds simple. It’s not. But the results speak for themselves. His batted-ball profile has shifted noticeably. He’s making harder contact more consistently. The approach is working.

The Braves are in first place in the NL East, though their lead has slipped from 9.5 games to 3. Harris is a big reason they’re still on top.

Defense matters too

Harris isn’t just hitting. He’s one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball. The Sporting News pointed out that his combination of speed, instincts, and route-running lets him cover more ground than almost anyone. Advanced metrics back that up — he’s consistently near the top in outs above average and defensive runs saved.

So you’ve got a guy who hits for average, has pop, plays elite defense, and plays for a first-place team. And he still got left off the All-Star ballot. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder what the selection committee is even watching.

The good news for Atlanta is that Harris seems unbothered. He’s kept producing. And if he keeps this up, the All-Star snub might just be a footnote in what turns into a monster season.