The final week of the 2025 season saw the Atlanta Braves win three and lose three to finish the disappointing campaign 76-86, but Sunday was a reminder that despite it all, baseball really is the best.
The last couple of weeks were more fun that much of the season was, with Atlanta winning 11 out of 14 games – including a 10-game winning streak – and finishing the year on an emotional high as veteran starting pitcher Charlie Morton made what was presumably his final career start.
Morton’s history with
the Braves is well chronicled, and his first start for Atlanta this season, led to a wonderful moment after getting the strikeout o his legendary curveball, Morton was lifted for fellow starter Chris Sale, which can be seen below.
For the rest of the Braves players, closer Raisel Igelsias got the save in what might be his last turn as Atlanta’s closer. It was his second of the week and 29th on the season. Tyler Kinely worked a scoreless eight and the trade-deadline pick-up did allow a run this week on a solo home run but otherwise continued his excellent work.
Earlier in the week Hurston Waldrep had a nice final start and reliever/spot-starter José Suarez also worked a couple of games and picked up a three-inning save.
On the position player side, Drake Baldwin finished the season strong and maybe, just maybe, did enough to win the National League Rookie of the Year. Ronald Acuña, Jr. was outstanding with a 1.346 OPS including three home runs in his eight hits and added six walks; he also drove in five and scored five times.
But, it was Atlanta’s center fielder who adjusted his way to the final Player of the Week Award of the season.
Battery Power Braves Player of the Week: Michael Harris II
Michael Harris II should try to switch if in-season pitchman skills from Ford to Six Flags because his season was a bigger roller coaster than anything the amusement park has to offer. He was both the worst player in the National League and the best player for significant stretches this year.
Last week, Harris II played list the possible MVP candidate that some though he might be prior to the start of the regular season. Along with his fantastic defense, the adjustments he made paid off to the tune of a 1.410 OPS. He got there by getting 10 hits in 22 at-bats, slugging three home runs and two doubles. He scored four times and drove in six while adding four stolen bases.
With his final-week surge, he secured the first 20-20 season and 20 home run year of his career; it was also the third time he ended a season with exactly 20 stolen bases.
This was by-far the worst season in the 24-year-old’s career, but the bright spots shine so bright, it is hard not to hope that this off-season he will try to make some adjustment to increase his walk rate and find a way to minimize his slumps because when he is good, he is really good.
Now on to 2026.
