Call to the pen
Fansided

Atlanta Braves: Biggest surprises so far this season

By Dylan Sloan

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 08: Kurt Suzuki #24 doubles in Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves as he beats the throw from Joc Pederson #31 to Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he scores a run on a double by Kurt Suzuki #24 of the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on June 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 08: Kurt Suzuki #24 doubles in Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves as he beats the throw from Joc Pederson #31 to Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he scores a run on a double by Kurt Suzuki #24 of the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on June 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Atlanta Braves
ATLANTA, GA – June 01: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves slides into second during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on June 1, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.The Braves won 4-0. (Photo by Cameron Hart/Beam Imagination/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Braves currently sit in a playoff spot two months into the season — something very few thought was possible in Spring Training.

Two full months into the season, the Atlanta Braves find themselves firmly positioned in a playoff spot. In fact, an argument can be made that the Braves can continue winning and establish themselves as one of the premiere teams in the National League — playing in a loaded NL East division.

However, as a surprise team, there have certainly been big surprises that have thrust the Braves into this position. Here are the Braves’ biggest surprises so far this 2018 season.

Atlanta Braves
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 08: Kurt Suzuki #24 doubles in Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves as he beats the throw from Joc Pederson #31 to Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he scores a run on a double by Kurt Suzuki #24 of the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on June 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves biggest surprises: Nick Markakis

Nick Markakis has been arguably the Braves’ biggest surprise so far. Markakis has provided steady offense over the course of his Braves career. However, no one expected that he would produce at a .328/.496/.886 clip through his first 64 games. Markakis’ value has been further enhanced by his ability to avoid strikeouts.

Additionally, Markakis has shown a resurgence in his power, slugging eight homers so far this season. This matches his total for all of last season. He also provides a strong veteran presence in the clubhouse for the younger guys. If he can sustain any level close to his current offensive production, the Braves will gladly take it.

Did you know that Markakis has over 2,000 career MLB hits and boasts a .289 lifetime batting average — yet has never made an MLB All-Star team? It appears the veteran will likely change that this season, an honor well deserved and long overdue.

Home/Atlanta Braves