Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Nick Markakis slotted at leadoff for Braves

Nick Markakis was born Nov. 17, 1983 in Glen Cove, N.Y. Markakis graduated from Woodstock High in metro Atlanta and attended Young Harris College in northeast Georgia. In Markakis' first season at Young Harris, he was Baseball America’s 2002 National Junior College Player of the Year. Markakis was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft by the Orioles. He was the seventh player drafted. He was drafted three times. The time he was a 6-1, 160-pound high school pitcher in 2001, by the Reds in the 35th
By
April 25, 2019

The Braves have already used Ender Inciarte and Ozzie Albies in the leadoff spot. On Thursday they opted for another option.

Outfielder Nick Markakis was positioned for leadoff in the series finale against Cincinnati. It’s his first game at leadoff since May 16, 2016.

Albies was given a day off against righty Luis Castillo, who’s performed among the National League’s best starters through one month. Inciarte was slated eighth in the order.

The 35-year-old Markakis has had previous success in the lead-off spot, hitting .291 with a .358 on-base percentage in 323 games.

On the season, Markakis is hitting .329 with two homers and 17 RBIs across 23 games. He’s hit in the fifth spot after manning cleanup through his 2018 All-Star season.

About the Author

Gabriel Burns is a general assignment reporter and features writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After four years on the Braves beat, he's expanded his horizons and covers all sports. You'll find him writing about MLB, NFL, NBA, college football and other Atlanta-centric happenings.

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