Atlanta Braves: 2015 End of Season Player Grades

Sep 26, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Nick Markakis (22) looks on from the batting cage before a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Markakis

Coming off of a neck injury surgery in the offseason, Nick Markakis proceeded to lead the team in games played at 156, giving him 15 missed games over the last 3 seasons. His durability and consistency was vastly under-appreciated by many fans. Nick threw up a .296/.370/.376/.746 slash line. The power was nonexistent this year as Nick hit only 3 HRs, but he did manage to rack up 38 doubles and 181 hits. The defensive metrics did not love him, but he was steady and efficient, only limited by range in right field. In a lineup full of question marks, surprises, and disappointments, Markakis was a refreshing known quantity and did exactly what he has done his whole career: hit and get on base. In fact, he is the only hitter whose production seemed unaffected by the lacking lineup around him.

While many fans questioned the 4-year/$44 million contract he was given during a rebuilding phase, looking back it is almost painful to imagine what the year would have looked like without him. His quiet leadership and professional appearance that he brought to the park every day is difficult to quantify, but nonetheless appreciated by the Braves front office. Hopefully his strength returns after a full offseason of conditioning heading into 2016 and we see a little of that power creep back into his swing, but regardless he seems a safe bet to rack up the hits and be one of the lone consistent at bats throughout the entirety of a season. For bouncing back this last year better than expected, and for the numbers he put up, Nick earns an A.

Final Grade: A

Next: Wrapping Up