Dakota Harris Named MiLB Player of the Week

The Cardinal Chronicle
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Dakota Harris Named Cardinal Chronicle Minor League Player of the Week

Dakota Harris is no longer just a depth name in the Springfield lineup. He is becoming one of the more interesting offensive stories in the Cardinals’ Double-A system.

The Springfield Cardinals infielder has been named the Cardinal Chronicle Minor League Player of the Week after a strong seven-day stretch in which he hit .429 with a 1.282 OPS, two home runs, five RBIs, five runs scored, four walks, and three stolen bases.

Harris played in six games during the week and went 9-for-21 at the plate. He added a double, showed extra-base impact, controlled the strike zone, and brought value on the bases. That combination made him the clear standout among Cardinals minor league hitters over the past week.

The production continues what has been a notable 2026 season for the 24-year-old infielder. Harris opened the year in historic fashion, hitting three home runs in the first two games of the season, including consecutive-game grand slams — the first time that had been done in Springfield Cardinals history.

That kind of start gets attention. Sustaining the approach is what matters.

Harris has done more than flash power. One of the more encouraging parts of his development this season has been the growth in his plate discipline. His improved walk rate has helped turn him into a more complete offensive player, not just a hitter capable of running into damage. That is the kind of progress that matters in Double-A, where pitchers are more capable of exposing chase, expanding the zone, and testing whether a hitter’s approach can hold up.

Drafted by the Cardinals in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma, Harris has also brought defensive versatility to the organization. He has seen time around the infield and has given Springfield another athletic, useful piece in a system that continues to place a premium on players who can do more than one thing.

This past week was a strong example of that broader profile. Harris did not just hit for average. He reached base, hit for power, drove in runs, scored runs, and stole bases. That is a full box score, and for a player trying to push his name higher inside the organization, weeks like this carry weight.

Dakota Harris was the hottest hitter in the Cardinals’ system over the last seven days.

That earns him this week’s Cardinal Chronicle Minor League Player of the Week honor.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.

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Photo Credit: Dakota Harris, Springfield Cardinals | MiLB