It doesn’t take much to be one of the best home run hitters for the Braves this season. Consider Kelly Johnson, who has been on the disabled list since May 14 and was still second on the team with six homers entering Saturday.
Through 54 games the Braves hit 35 total home runs with homers in 1.7 percent of their plate appearances. Among major league teams only the Phillies were worst in both categories, and it took a recent tear of five home runs in six games by Freddie Freeman to lift the Braves above them.
Yet the Braves scored 4.3 runs per game, 13th in the majors.
“You miss the home runs from your team when you are down,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “That’s when you miss it. I’m not saying it’s overrated but I can live without the home runs when you are up or even one down because you can do something. You can manufacture a run.”
In 2014 the Braves hit 123 home runs, tied for 23rd in the majors, and were next-to-last with 573 runs. Their home run percentage (2.0) ranked tied for 20th.
Only three teams struck out a higher percentage of the time than the Braves in 2014. This year only four teams strike out at a lower rate than the Braves.
“We put the ball in play,” Gonzalez said. “Put the ball in play, people find holes. It’s nice to see that.”
The most obvious power void has been the lack of home runs from right fielder Nick Markakis.
Entering Saturday Markakis led the Braves with 232 plate appearances but was the only lineup regular without a home run. He led regulars in batting average (.307), walks (29) and on-base percentage (.397).
Last month Markakis said he was still building up his strength after neck surgery in December prevented him from doing his usual off season strength work.
“It still surprises me when you look up and he has no home runs,” Gonzalez said. “It seems like he has (some). He’s come up with some big hits, some big RBIs. I’m not worried about it. Obviously you can contribute and score runs in this game without the big power numbers.”
