Atlanta Braves: The Quiet Case for Nick Markakis
By W. M. Lawson
On the heels of another home series where the Atlanta Braves were swept, there hasn’t been much to crow about. Very quietly, however, Nick Markakis is building a solid season.
The 2017 season for our Atlanta Braves opened with a cautious optimism that was bridled and girded with an expectant hope that things would be better. Fast forward and after 29 completed games, the Braves are nine games out. The stadium, while beautiful, is giving up more HRs than Hershey’s gives kisses, and pitching has been fundamentally flawed. In short, things ain’t great.
That’s not to say that there haven’t been pleasantries offered from some of our Atlanta Braves. Freddie Freeman is having a banner year. Ender Inciarte continues the flash leather in Center, and wows with his pursuits. Matt Kemp and Brandon Phillips, when healthy, provide some pop. These things have been discussed.
What does seem, though, to be lost in the mix is the consistently quality play of RF Nick Markakis. There are a number of theories as to why Markakis gets short shrift when it comes to public displays of affection. Not the least of which is that he replaced hometown hero Jason Heyward, and fans summarily shrugged when Markakis was added to the roster.
It was another in a long line of, what felt like, betrayals by the Braves’ Front Office…getting rid of a local kid who grew up dreaming of playing for the Braves, only to be shipped to the highest bidder. It may not have been like that. But it felt that way.
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All Markakis has done, though, is play quality ball. He is currently 5th in the NL in batting average for RF with a solid .286. He ranks 7th on the team in batting average, but is 4th when compared to those who have played more than 20 games in 2017.
And there is where his value really shows. Since joining the Atlanta Braves in 2015, Markakis played in 156 (2015) and 158 (2016) games, in respective seasons, and thus far, has played in all 29 games in 2017.
Chances are Nick Markakis won’t be going to the All-Star game. But chances are that he’ll be playing if you get to the ball park. And his game will be ready.
Markakis won’t get the love or hype that Freeman, Swanson, Inciarte, and Kemp will get. But he shows up and does work day in and day out. Steady, productive, reliable, and with quality effort, Nick Markakis has been a plus for our Braves. A very quiet plus, but a plus nonetheless.