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Atlanta Braves Five Underrated Reasons They are Winning

By Kit Anderson

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after connecting on a 3-run home run in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 3, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after connecting on a 3-run home run in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 3, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 28: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 28: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

1. Nick Markakis is Raking and No One Cares 

Nick Markakis has quietly been beasting while all the attention has shifted to his rookie counterparts.  Markakis is a thirty-four-year-old veteran who many teams would love to have in their clubhouse.

His consistency and quiet leadership set a needed tone for the Braves. Through miserable seasons of rebuilding Markakis showed up unaffected and did his job. Playing good defense and bringing a consistent approach to the plate.

Despite that fact, he had shown very little power and seemed to be aging. Because of his age and the fact the Braves weren’t expected to compete many writers including myself speculated him to be on the move.

Gladly, those speculations were incorrect and Markakis is having a huge impact early. After hitting only 8 homers last year Markakis already has hit 5 in the first month of the season.  He is hitting a sizzling .336 with 23 runs driven in and more walks than strikeouts.

He leads the team with 40 hits and has had a huge stabilizing impact on a great lineup. Despite all of this there has been little attention to what Markakis is accomplishing.

Understandably so with flashy youngsters garnering the attention. But the Braves wouldn’t be having their success with Markakis, a reliable veteran who is off to a sizzling start.

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