Atlanta Braves Must Move Nick Markakis Away From Cleanup Spot

The Atlanta Braves have a great lineup, one packed with power and plenty of potential to be great. A lineup facing only one obvious question, who will bat cleanup?

Nick Markakis has been the Atlanta Braves cleanup hitter for last year.  He has played well and is a valuable part of the Braves offense. However, he is far from the best option to hit cleanup and would offer the Braves a more complete lineup hitting lower in the order.

Nick is a good hitter but lacks power or speed at this point in his career. He is prone to hitting into double plays at times and lacks the ability to be a true power threat from the cleanup position.

Moving him further down in the order is the answer while keeping the Braves best three-hitters 1-3. Moving a young player like Ozzie Albies or Johan Camargo to the cleanup role seems to be the most obvious solution.

Both players have more speed and power than Markakis and have shown an ability to drive in runs. Either player would be an unconventional choice but either one a better option than Nick at this point in their respective career.

Albies could be an interesting choice if he can find a way to replicate his first-half success. He was easily one of the Braves best players in the first half last season before failing to adjust and becoming overly aggressive.

If he can find a way back to producing as he did in the first half last season the Braves would have a 1-4 that would scare any pitcher in baseball. Putting Markakis 6th or 7th in the order would give the Braves a deeper and better lineup.

Johan Camargo was the RBI leader for the Braves for much of the second half of the season. He would be a good option as well when the Braves work him into the lineup.

Regardless of who they choose it is time to find another option at cleanup other than Nick Markakis.