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Atlanta Braves: 3 players with opportunities after Nick Markakis opt-out

By Seth Carter

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 16: Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves scores a second inning run against Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at SunTrust Park on August 16, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 16: Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves scores a second inning run against Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at SunTrust Park on August 16, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Braves have a hole in their hearts and in their lineup as Nick Markakis has opted for the 2020 season. We take a look at players who could seize the opportunity of his absence.

Atlanta Braves: We hate to see Nick Markakis opt out of the 2020 season. It may have been our last chance to watch one of the most underrated players of all-time. If you read my article on his legacy, you might be surprised to see how high up on the all-time ranks he is in a great many categories.

The universal DH was going to provide an avenue for Brian Snitker to keep the right-handed killing, line-drive hitting, walk taking, ball-playing machine in the lineup on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it’s not happening.

So for the Braves, it’s next man up. Markakis’ departure leaves a lot of playing time available for a few guys. Here are five players who could seize the opportunity presented by Markakis’ opt-out.

Atlanta Braves – Austin Riley

While Austin Riley could possibly earn the majority of reps at third base, the hole in his long swing could keep him on a short leash. Johan Camargo looks fit and motivated. The DH and absence of Markakis should provide Austin Riley with a chance to at least get more reps this season.

Riley has shown immense power and we hope he has a high ceiling, but from July 6 on last season he hit .154 with six walks and struck out in 41.4% of his plate appearances.

Ladies and gentlemen, from July 6 on he was a worse hitter than Max Fried.

  • Austin Riley (July 7 – End of Season): .154/.202/.264 – 41.4 K%
  • Max Fried: .196/.262/.268 – 24.6 K%

Stats like that are unacceptable. Hopefully, we see more of the early version of Riley, while he was still striking out in 34% of his at-bats between May 15 – July 6, he had 16 homers in his first 183 at-bats with a .574 slugging percentage.

If Riley can adjust to the adjustments major-league pitching made against them, he still has a chance to contribute as a power bat. Should he show progress at the plate, he could seize the extra opportunities presented by Markakis’ exit.

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