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Braves’ hitting leaders return who could carry team in 2018

Freddie Freeman led in batting (.307, 10th in National League) and on-base percentage (.403, 7th) Leader in slugging (.586, tied for 3rd in NL) and OPS (.989, 4th) Leader in home runs (28, 23rd in NL) Nick Markakis led in games played (160, 3rd in NL) and doubles (39, 5th) Leader in walks (68, 19th in NL) and RBIs (76, tied for 28th) Leader in stolen bases (22, 8th in NL) Ender Inciarte led in plate appearances (718, 2nd in NL) and at-bats (662, 1st) Leader in hits (201, tied for 2 in NL) and runs (93, T1
By
Feb 23, 2018

The nucleus of Freddie Freeman, Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis led the Braves (or were tied for the lead) in 15 categories on offense last season. Inciarte made the All-Star game, and Freeman appeared on his way to MVP consideration in mid-May before he was hit by a pitch that broke his wrist. He missed seven weeks of the season because of the injury.

As the Braves wait for their young starting pitchers to develop and position players such as Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and Johan Camargo to continue their progress -- and the assumed rise of Ronald Acuna, the team will need Freeman, Inciarte and Markakis (with catchers Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki) to repeat (or better) their 2017 production.

Check out the video to see the stats for the hitting leaders and where they ranked in the National League last season.

About the Author

David Wellham has worked as an editor and content producer at the AJC since 2006, but his knowledge of sports in metro Atlanta and Georgia dates to much earlier. He uses his institutional knowledge to help the AJC provide in-depth coverage of area sports and sports teams. David can be reached at 404-526-5424 and dwellham@ajc.com.

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