Atlanta Braves: Nick Markakis Off to Torrid Start in Contract Year
By Kit Anderson
One of the biggest surprises in the Atlanta Braves early season success has been outfielder Nick Markakis. He is providing great protection for Freddie Freeman and has played at the highest level since joining the team.
Nick Markakis was headed into a contract year for the Atlanta Braves. A year the team was thought to be rebuilding and could choose to trade the veteran. Making the decision to keep Nick is one of the smartest moves of the off-season.
So far Markakis has done nothing but rake for the Braves. Protecting Freddie Freeman with power and a great approach Markakis is set to have his best season as a Brave.
For Markakis, it couldn’t have happened at a better time with the outfielder set to hit the open market at the end of the season.
He has hit .333 so far and knocked 8 homers out of the park. His career high with the Braves is 13 a mark he will break easily this season if he stays healthy.
He is driving the ball with authority the Braves haven’t seen from him before. He has driven in 30 runs and racked up 56 early season hits. Ridiculous numbers for a hitter who was thought to be on the wrong side of his career.
His surge is a big reason the Braves are enjoying success. He is protecting Freddie Freeman better than Matt Kemp ever did and employing a great aggressive approach at the plate.
For Markakis it is important he continues this surge ensuring a big payday at the end of the season. It will likely be the last time he has a chance to receive a large offer and he is doing everything he can to have his pick at the end of the year.
This season has been a great one of Nick Markakis and the Atlanta Braves. Let’s hope both of these trends continue as we get deeper into the 2018 season.