Atlanta Braves: Nick Markakis is Underrated and Angry
By Seth Carter
2020
Initially, it looked as if the Braves would have a platoon in left field between Markakis and Adam Duvall. Kakes would take the majority of the reps against right-handed pitching and Duvall would blast dingers against southpaws.
When the Braves refused to pay more than their valuation allowed on Josh Donaldson, plan B went into effect.
Marcell Ozuna was one of the impact bats remaining on free agency and the Braves pounced. The current outfield alignment is projected to have the incomparable Ronald Acuna Jr. in right and Marcell Ozuna in left. The two big bats will be flanking the speedy Gold Glove centerfielder, Ender Inciarte.
This leaves Markakis destined for a bench/insurance policy role for the Braves. For the team and its fans, it’s a massive luxury to have a consummate professional to pinch-hit in crucial situations.
It’s a luxury to be able to take comfort in knowing that if Inciarte is attacked by an enraged bird of prey in the outfield, Markakis will be a more than competent replacement.
Guns Blazing
Kakes already came into camp with his guns-a-blazing, in two ways. He is reported to be in fantastic shape and you may have heard, he unleashed a verbal assault on cheaters and the commissioner.
For Markakis, it’s about seeing this re-build through to the end. He knew his first year with the team would be a dumpster fire…like a dumpster full of dirty diapers that are all on fire.
Knowing that, he continued to grind and continued to drive frozen ropes across the fields. He continued to be the patient, professional hitter he has always been and was the bridge across the abyss.
Now he’s like Gandalf hanging on at the end of the trek through the Mines of Moria in The Fellowship of the Ring, telling his team, “Fly, you fools!”
And like Gandalf at that moment, it appears his career may be on the brink of falling into the crevice of eternity.
Like Gandalf, he’s going down fighting. Lest we forget, Gandalf resurrected his career and came back better than ever as a clutch pinch-hitter on the biggest stage of them all.
We know not what fortunes lie ahead for the outfielders of the 2020 Atlanta Braves. The health of their bodies nor of their minds is guaranteed.
Great players can find themselves in an inexplicable streak of misfortune, going colder than the mountain’s snow. When their feet have failed them, Markakis will be there to hoist them upon his shoulders and carry them forth to the top of the mountain.
Essentially, what I’m getting at is, he’s a very nice option off of the bench.
Next. Braves 3B: Top 10 Trade Targets to Track in 2020. dark
How do you feel about the Braves outfield situation in 2020 and where Nick Markakis fits in? Let us know in the comments below.