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Nick Markakis: A Quietly, Healthy, Productive Year

By John Buhler

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When President of Baseball Operations offered RF Nick Markakis a 4-year, $44 Million deal to come play for the Atlanta Braves, I was one of the few who applauded the deal to bring the Woodstock, GA native home.

I had admired Nick Markakis’ game from afar during his 9-year career with the Baltimore Orioles.  Though Nick needed to have offseason neck surgery before the 2015 MLB Season, I knew the immense value that Markakis would bring to an Atlanta Braves team desperately needing veteran leadership.

-= Atlanta Braves: A Rebuilding Farm System =-

In the American League, Nick Markakis was a career .290 hitter with annual 14 home run power at the plate, a two-time AL Gold Glove winner in rightfield, and a fan favorite of the O’s.  Even as a 31-year old likely losing nearly all of his offensive power at the plate due to the neck surgery, I had a feeling that Nick Markakis would have a great year for the Atlanta Braves because he’s a gamer that thrives at coming through in clutch situations.

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    • For most the 2015 Season, Nick’s batting average has been around .300 wherever Braves Skipper Fredi Gonzalez pencils Markakis in the lineup.  Nick has been in the Top 5 of all National Leaguers in hits for almost the whole season, rarely getting a day off in right for the Braves.  Entering this afternoon’s series finale with the Chicago Cubs, Nick Markakis has 140 hits, a .297 batting average, and a .366 on base percentage in 121 games played for the Atlanta Braves, missing just two games this season.

    Earlier this summer, Nick Markakis set a record for most consecutive games played in the outfield without committing an error.  His lone error for the Braves was the first Nick made defensively since 2012 while playing for the Baltimore Orioles.  Pencil Nick Markakis in for his third Gold Glove in 2015.  The guy makes all the plays in right for the Atlanta Braves.

    Perhaps most satisfying about Nick Markakis’ 2015 season for the Atlanta Braves is how consistent it has been.  Though the surgery deprived him of all his power this season (it should come back in 2016 when Nick can fully take part in offseason workouts), Markakis’ has been the Braves best position player this season.

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    His style of play isn’t flashy nor does it get fans out of their seats when he makes a great play, but when the game in on the line Nick Markakis almost always delivers.  That trait never seems to fade in time, coming through in clutch situations.  When Atlanta becomes a contender hopefully by 2017, Nick Markakis will be in the third season of his four-year contract at 33 years of age, still playing at a high level as he approaches 2,000 career hits in the MLB.

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    In a season that has quickly derailed heading into the All-Star Break, I’ve throughly enjoyed the play of Nick Markakis.  I’m looking forward to all that lies ahead for Nick and the Atlanta Braves in the coming seasons.  The Nick Markakis deal is turning into one of the better offseason free agent acquisitions the Atlanta Braves have made in years.  I loved the transaction at first, but even I didn’t see Nick being this productive for the Braves this season.

    Next: Atlanta Braves: Projected 2016 Bullpen

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