Markakis: Worried yet?

[Gurgi]

Is this the new Markakis?

Anyone a little worried yet?

[Why.jpg]

Yes..

its not only Markakis though

[Gurgi]

Glad to see I am not the only one.

I really hope he shows signs soon of breaking out of this power slump. A nice little tear for a week where he gets three homeruns and a couple doubles would be nice.

[BIRDIEBOY]

Yes. He looks terrible.

If he continues to struggle, do you drop him in the lineup when DLee comes off the DL?

[DrungoHazewood]

I'm more worried about a fan community that starts a brand new discussion, or twelve, on the end of Nick Markakis' career each day that he doesn't go 3-for-5 with two extra base hits.

[backwardsk]

I'm more worried about a fan community that starts a brand new discussion, or twelve, on the end of Nick Markakis' career each day that he doesn't go 3-for-5 with two extra base hits.

Just curious, did you watch him hit last night? It's not just that the results are not there, he's ABs are very "un-Nick" like. He had one great swing on a line out to third, but even that AB he chased a pitch at his shoulders to get behind in the count.

[Dr. FLK]

I voted for "worried"...but, I've more or less come to the conclusion that we just don't see much power from Nick. I think he's a great #2 hitter who's slumping. He's developed into more of a doubles hitter to me, and he's darn good at it. He'll be a guy who gets on base, has gap-to-gap power, and plays good defense. But, I think it's time to stop expecting power.

[Sports Guy]

Just curious, did you watch him hit last night? It's not just that the results are not there, he's ABs are very "un-Nick" like. He had one great swing on a line out to third, but even that AB he chased a pitch at his shoulders to get behind in the count.

His first at bat he hit the ball well the other way.

I don't know if worried is the right word or not but something isn't right with him.

[backwardsk]

His first at bat he hit the ball well the other way.

I don't know if worried is the right word or not but something isn't right with him.

He did, and I thought Andino should have been able to tag up. But it was also the first pitch of the AB and it was away. Why even offer at that when you have a runner in scoring position? The dude had the first two runners on and had only thrown four pitches. 2010 Nick doesn't swing at that pitch, and that's my point.

[Bradysburns]

I think he needs to keep the facial hair. He seems to have more confidence with it. But seriously, I'm not more worried about Nick than I am the fact that of the four "headline" acquisitions we made over the offseason, precisely one is actually producing... and not even Vlad is hitting for power, really. There's a lot to be concerned about with this offense.

[Sparkwinder]

Someone mentioned in another thread that he looks thinner than in the past. I had thought the same thing, but never mentioned it to anyone. Could the fall-off in power numbers over the past season and a half be related to the elephant that still wanders the room with baseball?

[Gurgi]

If Nick becomes a mere shell of himself the Orioles have huge problems. Couple that with Roberts and we are basically in a rebuild if the worse case becomes reality.

[section18]

We've talked about Nick way too much already this season. If I'm the Orioles I have Crowley meeting with Nick to see if he can do anything for him. It was probably like a father/son relationshp between them when Crow was our hitting coach and he probably misses the Crow's suggestions. I would hope they have been talking by phone some this season. The Crow can see his swing and stance from any TV and offer sggestions.

I mentioned on here several weeks ago I thought he should be drinking as many protein shakes as he can stand every day and taking vitamins for weight gain. I noticed in April his shirt was hanging on him like it does in late August after being pushed to the limit asked to play almost every game. He should be getting more rest. The two lasers he took in his back and I believe on his hip would hurt anyone and I'm surprised he hasn't missed time as a result on at least one of those drillings.

The thing that's most disturbing about Nick's lack of power is he was supposed to embark on an off season bulking up conditioning program. I know guys that hurt their backs lifting weights and I'm not talking heavy weights. There is probably more to this story than we are being told. Edit Post Reply Reply With Quote .

[Brady9Fan]

He's like a totally different hitter from a few years back. Since he has the longest term deal, he's probably putting too much on his own shoulders. The last O's FA signings always seem to be the same...no help for Nick, so he has to carry a burden. Now if we had a real #3 hitter in fron t of him, he'd probably look more comfortable & have better results.

[section18]

Good comments. I don't know how many games you attend at OP or if you have been to any this season. If you haven't you should drive down and sit on the first base side or better yet near the right field corner and observe Nick closeup. He is one of my favorite Orioles and maybe.......is my favorite player. My comments are sincere about him getting thinner. TV does not tell the story. You are right. He does wear the dark long sleeves but closeup you can see he is wearing a baggy shirt to make him look bigger and he can't hide the fact he is rail thin. I hope he is okay health wise. The team needs to work with him and try to help him improve his strength. He is too young to lose what power he had.