Nick Markakis Should Hit Leadoff in 2016

Nick Markakis hit well batting leadoff for the 2015 Atlanta Braves in 61 games. With Atlanta’s recent struggles there, he should hit in that spot in 2016.

The Atlanta Braves did not play well at all in 2015, to say the least. That was a painful year of baseball for Braves Country to endure, as the team hasn’t undergone a rebuild in a quarter of a century. Through a season of intense growing pains, a few positive did emerge. One of which was RF Nick Markakis hitting leadoff for the team.

Atlanta has not had great success from the leadoff spot in years. The last time the Braves had a formidable 1-2 punch atop the batting order was during CF Michael Bourn‘s first go-around with the club. Bourn in his prime hit leadoff, while team favorite IF Martin Prado hit second. I still miss Martin Prado…

The Melvin Upton Jr. experiment was a complete disaster. The Dan Uggla/Omar Infante trade with the Miami Marlins was equally disappointing. RF Jason Heyward did okay hitting leadoff in 2014, but is no longer with the team. SS Andrelton Simmons remains incredibly raw at the plate as a 26-year-old.

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Not having confidence in the top of the order’s production didn’t give run producers like 1B Freddie Freeman opportunities to drive in as many runs. While not seeing as many strikeouts in 2015 as we were hopelessly forced to endure in 2014, the offense still struggled for numerous reasons. It seemed that Manager Fredi Gonzalez could never put together a consistently strong lineup, putting up a new batting order nearly every day in 2015.

Atlanta still has a long way to go before getting back to relevancy in the National League, but I believe that putting RF Nick Markakis firmly entrenched at leadoff is the way to go. In 61 games hitting leadoff, Markakis hit .295 and had a .370 on-base percentage. Of course, he had no power in 2015 after undergoing offseason neck surgery before signing with the Atlanta Braves last year.

His three home run power illustrated in 2015 made it easier to slide him in the top of the Atlanta Braves’ batting order. Could Markakis’ annual 14 home run power return in 2016, should he have the medical clearance to lift weights? I wouldn’t bank on it, but do expect his home run total to climb closer to 10 in 2016.

What 2015 proved to Braves Country is that Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman are the two most consistent hitters currently on the club. C A.J. Pierzynski had a fantastic year, but how much is left in the tank, honestly? Though we should expect the Atlanta Braves’ front office to again make numerous trades, I like Markakis to leadoff and Freeman to bat third.

The reason to move Markakis down in the order is two-fold. He doesn’t have the foot speed associated with a prototypical leadoff hitter, as he had only two steals in 2015. Freddie Freeman needs protection in the heart of the order and who else could provide that?