These Three MLBbros Are Destined For Superstardom In 2023 | Bahamian Blur, Dr. Sticks & Money

These Three MLBbros Are Destined For Superstardom In 2023 | Bahamian Blur, Dr. Sticks & Money

by | Oct 26, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

The World Series is upon us and wouldn’t you know it, there are no more MLBbro players left to play this season! The only representative in the October classic is Houston Astros manager, Dusty Baker, who is four wins from cleaning up the franchise’s reputation and finalizing the last goal on his iconic resume with his first World Series title as a manager.

 

Dusty Baker Can Bring Back Two Things For The Houston Astros This Postseason…A Championship and Respect

 

But that doesn’t mean that MLBbro.com can’t get started on next year with three potential superstars that are oozing with talent and built to turn baseball into must-see TV next season.

Jazz “The Bahamian Blur” Chisholm:

The Miami Marlins franchise remains one of the most overlooked pro franchises in sports today. Why? Because in sports, a team has to have a big-time name to attract fans and national attention. Winning helps too and despite owning two World Series championships, the Marlins have mostly had losing seasons while going through name, managerial, front office and philosophical changes that keep the team without a selling point to the fanbase.

Until now…

 

 

MLBbro Jazz Chisholm aka “The Bahamian Blur” is the first player in the Marlins franchise in years that will make people leave their homes, pay for parking, buy a ticket and watch the games. This guy alone could lift the blackout in Miami when it comes to baseball on television. While Chisolm is still developing as a player, his presence alone brings a certain level of energy and relevance that resonates with local fans and the younger generation. The charismatic baller does have major game and if he stays injury free should be a shoo-in to make the NL All-Star squad next season. 

With the Marlins ownership being notorious for ignoring big name free agents while letting their own budding talent leave for bigger paydays, this MLBbro is the last man standing for a team that is last on the sports priority list in South Beach.     

When the developers of the “MLB The Show 22 select a player as a part of the “Faces of the Franchises” section of a video game and produce the recreation of his Euro Step home run celebration, it’s a clear sign that Chisholm has arrived to potential superstar status.

 

 

“Money” Michael Harris II

This MLBro rookie has been so dominant in such a short time, he’ll get two different analysis styles. 

First let’s do the Hollywood version (In 30 for 30 voice) …

What if I told you that there was this young player that grew up less than an hour from Truist Park admiring Andruw Jones and Chipper Jones, who gets called up in the middle of the season and won the NL Rookie of the Year Award?

Now let’s talk about reality…

It only took 29 games for Michael Harris II to shoot to the top of the list as the best rookie in baseball. His high batting average is remarkable considering he SKIPPED Triple A baseball and was called to the roster on May 31st. If he does officially take the Rookie of the Year award, he sits next to Willie McCovey as the only award winners with such a small percentage of service time. 

 

 

Not only that, but Harris II has made sure that no one gets selective memory about the consistency he’s displayed. Our MLBbro collected three NL Rookie of the Month awards in four months including the last month of the season with a batting average of .324, six home runs, 19 RBI and five doubles. His defense is all-world too. Expect some Gold Glove level defense in the future with a rocket for an arm that would make Bo Jackson proud!

The Atlanta Braves didn’t waste time locking Harris up long term once it was obvious that he was a special player with ties to the community, that could be a face of the franchise for years to come. In August, Harris, a product of MLB’s diversity programs (Breakthrough Series) inked an eight-year extension worth $72 million, with a two-year club option that could push the deal to 10-years, $102 million. With season averages of .297 at the plate, 19 home runs and 64 RBI in less than a full season of work, yesterday’s price has already gone up for Money Mike’s services. 

Triston “Dr. Sticks” McKenzie

At the beginning of the season, this MLBbro was called “Dr. Sticks” due to his ultra-skinny 6-foot-5, 165-pound frame. The questions reporters used to throw at him often focused on his physical composition and not his golden arm. 

“I don’t know how I stay so slender. I feel like I eat a decent amount. I think it’s just how my body works. I believe baseball is very taxing. I feel like I burn through a lot of what I eat. I’d say throwing the way I do is me learning my body and learning what makes me feel good and being consistent day in and day out.”

By midseason, everybody in baseball was talking about the generational arm talent that McKenzie possessed as he devastated hitters with his repertoire, reminiscent of legendary MLBbros such as Dwight Gooden, Dave Stewart and Bullet Bob Gibson.

 

 

McKenzie completed his final start of the season allowing one earned run and registering four strikeouts without a walk, which continued a streak of 11 consecutive starts of allowing three runs or less matched only by co-ace Shane Bieber for the team lead in 2022.  McKenzie’s ERA of 2.96 made him the first Cleveland pitcher under the age of 24 to boast an ERA under 3.00 since the Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley back in 1975.

With that strong ERA, 191.1 innings pitched, and 190strikeouts, Triston McKenzie is not only the Guardians most consistent starter. He continued his mastery in his first playoff start against the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Enjoy the World Series but put these three MLBbros on your early list to make the All-Star team and contend for postseason awards in 2023. 

 

 

Did MLB Finally Find The Next Ken Griffey Jr. In Atlanta Braves MLBbro Michael Harris II?

Did MLB Finally Find The Next Ken Griffey Jr. In Atlanta Braves MLBbro Michael Harris II?

by | Sep 18, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

LOS ANGELES – Michael Harris II looks like he will be one special talent.

He was drafted in the third round by the Braves in the 2019 draft, and spent three years in their farm system. He was tearing it up in the beginning of this year’s AA minor league season with the Mississippi Braves, posting a .305/.372/.506 statline, earning him an instant promotion to the majors on May 28th.

So far, his time in Atlanta has been successful, with a .310 batting average, with 18 home runs, 57 RBI, 16 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .350, and a slugging percentage of .551. 

 

While his offense has been off the charts, the main reason Atlanta brought him up so soon is because of how stellar he is with the glove in the outfield. He is a human highlight reel.

The sensational catches, the incredible arm, and the electric speed that he has to cover so much ground makes him the scarce five-tool player.

On an already stacked lineup with players like Ronald Acuña, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, etc., it would have been easy for him to just take a backseat within the star studded clubhouse, but Harris has other ideas. He has made himself a league-wide name, getting recognition of his terrific play since day one.

So far, he has the best odds to win NL Rookie of the Year, with his fellow teammate Spencer Strider not too far behind. Either way, it is a lock that the award is returning to Atlanta.

Besides all the on-field tools that he brings, Harris has an electric swag to his game that makes him all that much better. He has such a smooth swing, and carries himself with such a cool swagger when he does simple things like running the bases, or the big, flashy chain he wears with his uniform. He just has that “it” factor. All that will remind you of one Hall of Famer in particular: Ken Griffey Jr.

The Braves see the special player that Harris is, as they locked him down to a long term extension less than three months after his debut. He agreed to an 8-year, $72 million contract on August 17th. They were already the defending champs, and now they get to keep another stud for a long time. The rich keep getting richer.

 

 

The Braves’ stellar young core that will keep them playing in October for years to come. They have done an incredible job of not just drafting and developing talent, but also locking that young talent down for several years to keep the core together. 

With less than 20 games to go in the regular season, the Braves will be dancing this October, as they will be one of the favorites. They have the chance to be the first team in over 20 years to repeat as champions, with the 1999-2000 Yankees being the last team to do so. If they do end up achieving that milestone, expect Harris to be a key reason for any success they have this postseason, and for the next several years.

MLBbro Rookie Money Mike Harris Gets The Bag From Atlanta Braves

MLBbro Rookie Money Mike Harris Gets The Bag From Atlanta Braves

by | Aug 18, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has been adamant about making long term commitments to pieces that he feels are critical to the Braves future, and our young MLBbro Michael Harris II was the latest to reap the benefits.

In a move that surprised many (Harris is still under his rookie deal), Harris signed an eight-year extension worth $72 million, with a two-year club option that could push the deal to 10-years, $102 million. Harris has shined since he was called up, and the Braves clearly wanted to send a message that he is indeed a part of their core. 

Harris is hitting .287 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI, while being a perfect 13-for-13 on stolen bases. Not only has Harris performed at the plate, but he has been one of the best defensive centerfielders in the game since the day he stepped foot in The Bigs. 

There is always skepticism whenever players sign what appear to be team friendly deals, but the Braves have developed a formula that both rewards young players while positioning the franchise to win for years to come. 

The deal signed by Harris is the third highest guarantee in MLB history for a player with less than one full year of service time. The second? Fellow Braves outfielder Ronnie Acuna Jr.’s eight-year, $100 million deal. 

The deal is a win for both parties involved, mainly because it avoids two pre-arbitration years and four years of arbitration for a player who is clearly outpacing his current deal. When you look at the current situation with Aaron Judge and the Yankees, this is a win for all parties involved. Rewarding a young player at this point shows him how invested you are in them going forward. 

The Braves have invested in one of the best young cores in baseball, locking up outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr, second baseman Ozzie Albies, first baseman Matt Olson, third baseman Austin Riley and now Harris all until at least 2025. With such a diverse core, Atlanta now has positioned itself to be extremely aggressive this offseason. 

Shortstop Dansby Swanson, another home-grown prospect, is a free agent this offseason and will be a hot commodity. Do the Braves resign Dansby or go shopping in a loaded free agent market that includes Platinum Glove winner Carlos Correa?

If they don’t want to spend on Correa, they have another young MLBbro in Vaughn Grissom who has also shown he’s ready for the show. Grissom has played second base with the absence of Albies, but his presence provides even more flexibility for the Braves. 

The options seem to be endless for Atlanta but seeing Money Mike manning centerfield is a lock for the foreseeable future.