The Atlanta Braves have remained one of the best teams in baseball following their World Series championship. Their 55-37 record is still behind the New York Mets for the NL East lead but is also the fifth-best record so far in this MLB season.

Although Ozzie Albies has been out for a month now with a fractured foot, the team is still loaded. Ronald Acuña Jr. is back to dominating after missing the second part of last season with a torn ACL. The superstar outfielder is seeing outstanding production all around him in the lineup, much of which is coming from unlikely sources.

With a mix of familiar and new faces, the Braves are having a strong 2022 season so far. Here are the three biggest surprises at this point in the season.

*Watch MLB Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*

3 biggest Braves first-half surprises in 2022 MLB season

3. NL ROY candidate Michael Harris II

Rookie center fielder Michael Harris II is having a very good season so far. The 21-year-old only got started in late May but has wasted no time becoming one of the team's most valuable players.

Harris has 46 hits in as many games to go along with eight home runs, eight doubles, seven stolen bases (while never being caught) and a slash line of .277/.310/.494. The only Atlanta players with a higher slugging percentage are All-Stars Austin Riley and William Contreras (more on them later). His defense has been the biggest factor, though, as he has the speed and coordination to make tough catches along with a strong arm.

Harris is in contention to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Other players in the race include Mackenzie Gore, Jack Suwinski, Brendan Donovan and the next player on this list.

2. The emergence of Spencer Strider

The Braves bullpen was one of the key factors to their World Series conquest. The Night Shift of Will Smith, Luke Jackson, Tyler Matzek and A.J. Minter was joined in the offseason by Kenley Jansen, the longtime star for the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, 23-year-old Spencer Strider has become the most notable addition to the mound for Atlanta.

Strider ranks fifth on the team in innings pitched at 70.1 yet has 110 strikeouts, more than anyone besides Charlie Morton, who has clocked in nearly 30 more innings. He has a 2.56 ERA and an insane 14.08 strikeouts per nine innings thanks to his blazing fastballs and wicked slider.

Article Continues Below
More Atlanta Braves News
Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver (32) leaves the game during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Braves make multiple roster moves before Red Sox clashMalik Brown ·
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) walks off the field after being removed during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Braves rumors: Atlanta could soon face big decision on Craig KimbrelMalik Brown ·
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park.
Braves’ Chris Sale boosts HOF case with milestone in Phillies gameZachary Howell ·
Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver (32) leaves the game during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Braves make roster move after AJ Smith-Shawver injury blowJosh Davis ·
Braves' Drake Baldwin emerges as NL ROY betting favorite after Smith-Shawver injury
Braves’ Drake Baldwin emerges as NL ROY betting favorite after Smith-Shawver injuryChris Spiering ·
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) walks back towards the dugout after the fourth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park.
Phillies’ Rob Thomson gives Zack Wheeler ultimate superstar treatmentZachary Howell ·

Strider was drafted by Atlanta in the 2020 draft and pitched just 2.1 innings last season. After starting out in the bullpen this season, he was moved to the starting lineup and has continued to dominate. In his last four starts (22.2 innings), he has allowed only two earned runs.

The Braves' new contributors have been huge to their success and will set them up for success in the future. In addition to them, several players who have been with the Braves for a handful of years are all having career-best seasons.

1. Four first-time All-Stars: Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson, Travis d'Arnaud and William Contreras

The Braves had five players voted into the 2022 MLB All-Star Game and one (Riley) added as an injury replacement. Three of the original five are first-time All-Stars, as is Riley. It wasn't a shock to suggest Atlanta would have several All-Stars. But to have as many as they do — and that most of them are getting their first-ever nod — was certainly not anticipated.

Riley had an All-Star caliber season in 2021. He burst onto the scene with an OPS of .898 and 33 home runs and was rewarded with MVP votes, a Silver Slugger and a spot on the 2021 All-MLB First Team. The 25-year-old third baseman having another strong season is hardly surprising, though his All-Star nomination is worth noting along with the rest of the first-timers.

Dansby Swanson, the former top overall pick, has finally put it all together this season. He has a career-high OPS of .831 and 103 hits in 92 games. The 28-year-old shortstop also has 19 doubles, 15 home runs and a career-high 14 steals.

William Contreras is making All-Star Game history with his brother, Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contrareas, thanks to his remarkable hitting. The part-time catcher, part-time DH has a .900 OPS, 40 hits and 11 home runs in 45 games in just his second full season.

Pairing up with Contreras behind the plate is Travis d'Arnaud, who has had some strong hitting seasons in the past and is now getting more recognition. In 62 games, he has 62 hits, a .775 OPS and 11 home runs. He needs six more to set a career-high.

Atlanta's six All-Stars ties with the New York Yankees for the most by one team this year. The quartet of first-time All-Stars will join Acuña and Max Fried in the All-Star Game, which takes place on Tuesday night in Los Angeles.