Braves Players With Most to Prove for Rest of 2022 Season

The Atlanta Braves were four games below .500 at the end of May, but they've been the hottest team in baseball this month and played their way back into the postseason picture.

Despite their recent success, there are still a handful of individual players with something to prove between now and the end of the season.

Whether it's an underperforming or injured star, an upcoming free agent, or a breakout performer at a key position who needs to maintain his current level of production, there are many reasons a player might have something to prove.

Ahead, we've highlighted three such names on the Braves roster.

CF Michael Harris II

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ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 20: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the Monday evening MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants on June 20, 2022 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It looked like the Braves might again be scouring the trade market for outfield upgrades earlier this season when Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall both got off to slow starts and Ronald Acuna Jr. was still on the recovery trail.

Now the outfield is again looking like a strength with Acuna healthy and rookie Michael Harris II off to a red-hot start to his MLB career.

Since he was called up on May 28, Harris is hitting .345/.375/.571 with 11 extra-base hits and 1.2 WAR in 23 games.

Can the 21-year-old continue to provide that type of spark offensively while also providing standout defense in center field? If the answer is yes, the Braves can focus their attention elsewhere at the deadline.

RHP Charlie Morton

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ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 11: Charlie Morton #50 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park on June 11, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The Braves signed veteran right-hander Charlie Morton to a one-year, $20 million extension last September in the midst of a terrific first season with the team as he posted a 3.34 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 216 strikeouts in 185.2 innings.

The extension included a $20 million club option with no buyout for the 2023 season, and so far he isn't making a compelling case to have that option exercised.

The 38-year-old has a 5.08 ERA in 67.1 innings, and his whiff rate is down on both his mid-90s fastball and his signature curveball.

Morton tossed seven shutout innings against the Chicago Cubs in his last start, and the emergence of Kyle Wright has helped offset his early struggles, but the Braves will be counting on him to right the ship in the second half.

RHP Mike Soroka

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ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 03: Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (40) winds up during the MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets on August 03, 2020 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It seems like ages ago that Mike Soroka went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 142 strikeouts in 174.2 innings to finish runner-up in NL Rookie of the Year voting and sixth in NL Cy Young voting during the 2019 season.

He has pitched just 13.2 innings since that stellar rookie campaign, suffering a torn Achilles in 2020 and then a complete re-tear of the same Achilles last year.

The 24-year-old is back throwing and building up his arm strength, and he is expected to return to the active roster sometime around the All-Star break.

How long will it take him to shake off the rust? Will he be a factor in the team's postseason rotation if they make a return trip to the playoffs? There might be no one on the roster with more to prove in the second half.

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All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and accurate through Tuesday's games.