Brett Harris

Brett Steven Harris Bio

Brett Steven Harris (born June 24, 1998) is an American professional baseball third baseman who has played for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his major league debut in 2024 after being selected by the Athletics in the 2021 MLB Draft. Harris developed his skills through a college baseball career at Gonzaga University, where he established himself as a defensive standout and earned conference recognition before advancing through the minor leagues.

Early Life and Background

Brett Harris grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and attended John Hersey High School, where he played baseball and graduated in 2016. His performance at the high school level laid the foundation for his pursuit of collegiate baseball at the next tier of competition.

After graduating from John Hersey High School, Harris enrolled at the University of Houston to play for the Houston Cougars baseball program. However, he did not appear in a game for Houston and decided to transfer. He then spent the 2018 season at Central Arizona College before transferring once again to Gonzaga University.

Path to Professional Baseball

Harris played three seasons of college baseball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, where he developed into a complete player. During his senior season in 2021, he delivered an impressive performance at the plate, batting .355 with six home runs. His defensive contributions were equally notable, earning him the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2021 season.

Prior to his standout senior year, Harris spent the summer of 2020 playing for the K-Town Bobbers in the Northwoods League, a prestigious summer collegiate baseball league. This experience helped refine his skills and prepared him for the professional ranks ahead of the 2021 draft.

Brett Steven Harris Career

Professional Debut and Minor League Beginnings (2021–2022)

The Oakland Athletics selected Harris in the seventh round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the organization and began his professional career with the Arizona Complex League Athletics before earning a promotion to the Lansing Lugnuts during the same season. Over 27 combined games between both affiliates, he batted .238 with three home runs, demonstrating his ability to adjust to professional pitching.

The 2022 season marked a significant step forward in Harris’s development. He opened the year with Lansing before receiving a late-May promotion to the Midland RockHounds. Across 113 games between the two teams, he posted a .290 batting average with a .374 on-base percentage and a .475 slugging percentage. He also contributed 17 home runs, 63 runs batted in, and 11 stolen bases, showcasing his well-rounded skill set at the Double-A level.

Triple-A Advancement and MLB Debut (2023–2024)

Harris began the 2023 season with Midland before earning a mid-July promotion to the Las Vegas Aviators, the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate. Over 105 games with Las Vegas, he continued his solid production by batting .279 with nine home runs and 62 runs batted in. His performance earned him an invitation to play in the Arizona Fall League with the Mesa Solar Sox, where he faced additional top prospects from across the minor leagues.

On May 3, 2024, Harris received his first major league call-up, joining the Oakland Athletics. He made his MLB debut and appeared in 36 games during his rookie season, hitting .146 with three home runs and 12 runs batted in. A memorable moment came on May 4, 2024, when he recorded his first two big league hits and his first two home runs against Darren McCaughan during a 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins.

Oakland Athletics Era (2024–2026)

Harris spent the remainder of the 2024 season with the Athletics, gaining valuable experience at the highest level of professional baseball. He entered the 2025 season looking to establish himself as a regular contributor. However, he opened the year on the injured list with an oblique injury and was subsequently optioned to Las Vegas upon his recovery. The 2026 season began with Harris optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas once again. He appeared in five games for the major league club, recording no hits in six at-bats with one walk. The Athletics designated Harris for assignment on June 27, 2026.

Defensive Capabilities and Player Profile

Harris has established himself primarily as a third baseman throughout his professional career. His defensive abilities earned him the West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year honor during his college career at Gonzaga. He has shown power potential at the plate with good on-base skills, posting strong slugging percentages in the minor leagues while also demonstrating basestealing ability.

Notable Career Milestones

Harris’s career has been marked by steady progression through the minor league system, earning promotions each season from 2021 through 2024. His first major league home run on May 4, 2024, against the Miami Marlins represented a significant milestone in his professional journey. The West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021 highlighted his two-way value as a player.

Brett Steven Harris Career Performance

Throughout his professional career, Brett Harris has demonstrated consistent offensive production at each minor league level. His ability to hit for average and power while maintaining solid plate discipline helped him advance rapidly through the Oakland Athletics system.

Major League Statistics

Harris made his MLB debut in 2024 with the Oakland Athletics. Through May 8, 2026, he has appeared in 41 major league games, compiling a .194 batting average with three home runs and 17 runs batted in across 144 career at-bats. His minor league career included standout performances at Double-A Midland in 2022, where he posted a .290 average with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs across 113 games.

College and Amateur Highlights

At Gonzaga University, Harris excelled during his senior season in 2021, batting .355 with six home runs while earning West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. His three-year tenure with the Bulldogs helped develop him into a polished two-way player. His summer league performance with the K-Town Bobbers of the Northwoods League in 2020 provided additional development opportunities against top collegiate competition.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season presented challenges for Brett Harris as he worked to secure a more permanent role with the Oakland Athletics organization. He began the season on the injured list due to an oblique injury, which interrupted his momentum from the previous year. Upon returning to health, he was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to continue his development and work toward returning to the major league roster.

Harris’s ability to overcome the injury setback and contribute at the Triple-A level demonstrated his resilience and determination. The 2025 season served as a rebuilding period in his career as he looked to establish himself as a consistent contributor at the highest level. His defensive versatility and power potential remained attractive attributes for the Athletics as they evaluated their roster options moving forward.