We have reached the end of April, and the Braves have scored more runs than any National League team. The lineup tops the NL in batting average (.268), on-base percentage (.342), slugging percentage (.440), wRC+ (113) and position player WAR.
Just like we all predicted a month ago, right?
Ozzie Albies deserves to be the NL Player of the Month. Ronald Acuña looks like a star in the making. Freddie Freeman continues to hit at an incredible level. Kurt Suzuki (somehow) keeps on hitting. The third base combo of Ryan Flaherty and Johan Camargo has been terrific. Preston Tucker has contributed in big moments.
The one guy who has received little-to-no press in relation to the crazy start is Nick Markakis. Those around the blog know that Markakis has been more of a whipping boy over the last three years, but he’s been a different player early on in 2018.
As with everything written this time of year: yes, it’s still early. The Braves have played 27 games and have another 135 to go. Things will likely be much different — for better and worse — this time in five months. But as of now, Markakis has played some of the best baseball of his career.
After Sunday’s win over the Phillies, Markakis is hitting .302/.405/.472 with a 145 wRC+ and 0.7 WAR, which is the same WAR of his entire 2017 campaign.
His batted ball profile shows a shift from previous seasons. Whereas his line drive percentage was 21% from 2015-2017, he currently sits just below 30%. He’s hitting far fewer ground balls than normal, and his home-run-to-fly-ball ratio is sky-high (13.3% compared to 4.9% during his Atlanta tenure).
Maybe he’s taken to the hit-the-ball-in-the-air movement. Maybe he’s getting a ton of pitches to hit since Freddie Freeman gets pitched around so much (#PickYourPoison). Or maybe it’s just an odd coincidence over a month’s worth of plate appearances. Either way, Markakis has been rock-solid in the middle of the Braves’ order, and he’s a big part of why the club leads the league in runs scored.