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Washington Nationals: Is Bryce Harper The Best Right Fielder In NL East?

By Ricky Keeler

Aug 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits an RBI double and the go ahead run in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Nationals defeated the Rockies 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits an RBI double and the go ahead run in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Nationals defeated the Rockies 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Sep 23, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Nick Markakis (22) connects for a base hit during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Nick Markakis (ATL)

2016 stats: .269/.346/.397, 13 home runs, 89 RBI’s, 67 runs scored in 158 games

While Markakis may not be the player that he once was with the Orioles, he is always a player that you can pencil into the lineup every day. In ten of the 11 seasons he has played in, he has appeared in over 145 games. In this day in age, that is an impressive stat.

Despite being durable, the two-time Gold Glove right fielder did not put up the best stats in 2016. His .269 batting average was the lowest in any season during his career. With that being said, his 89 RBI’s was the third highest total of his career and his highest since 2009 with the Orioles (101).

The 33-year-old left-handed hitter was a much better hitter in the second half last year. He had a .289 average with eight home runs and 42 RBI’s. Markakis’s 42 RBI’s were the second most on the entire Braves team during that span (Freddie Freeman – 57).

From a defensive perspective, Markakis is still one of the better right fielders in the league. Last season, he was second in the NL in defensive runs scored (ten) behind Jason Heyward of the Cubs (14). This stat is courtesy of Fangraphs.

While Markakis may not be the most talented player in the Braves outfield with the other two outfielders being Matt Kemp and Ender Inciarte, he is reliable. If Brian Snitker can get another 150+ games out of Markakis in 2017, he should still be a productive hitter.

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