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Atlanta Braves: Changes need to be made with Nick Markakis and Ozzie Albies

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 20: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Nick Markakis #22 after Albies scored in the ninth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on May 20, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 20: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Nick Markakis #22 after Albies scored in the ninth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on May 20, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MAY 18: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves hits a sacrifice fly in the third inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at SunTrust Park on May 18, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 18: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves hits a sacrifice fly in the third inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at SunTrust Park on May 18, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Father time catching up

Whatever you think about Nick’s performance in 2019, the deal to bring him back was a steal. But I think we all knew at some point Nick may have to move to more of a bench role.

It’s not in anyone’s best interest to ever doubt this man, but the last month-plus leads me to believe that his days as an everyday player are coming to an end.

On the season now, Nick is hitting .265 with 4 home runs. He does have a very good OBP of .356, and he’s walked more than he’s struck out. But the contact he’s been getting lately is very weak, and there have been a lot of pop-ups.

We aren’t seeing the typical Nick Markakis at-bats that we are used to seeing where he works the count and lines the ball to all parts of the field.

But the biggest difference for Nick between last year and this year are his number against left-handed pitchers.

In his career, Nick is hitting a solid .280 against left-handed pitchers (as a left-handed hitter, obviously).

Last year he was more in line with his career numbers against lefties hitting .284.

But this season lefties have been dominating him as he’s hitting just .203 against them.

That’s certainly well below his career average, and there is a chance he could improve on that number, but now that we’re 40 percent of the way through the season it’s time to make a change.

Markakis needs to be getting days off anyway, but there is no reason to start him against a left-handed pitcher going forward.

The only problem is, his most likely replacement — Matt Joyce — is also a left-handed hitter.

But Johan Camargo and Charlie Culberson can also fill the void to give Nick a break against lefties.

At this point, Nick is a platoon player in my eyes.

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