Nick Markakis

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**Nick Markakis**
Major League Baseball debut
Baltimore Orioles — No. 21
Outfielder
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
April 3, 2006 for the Baltimore Orioles
Selected MLB statistics (through August 31, 2006)
On-Base Percentage	.369
Slugging Percentage	.476
On-Base Plus Slugging	.845
Fielding Percentage	.994 (2nd Among MLB Right Fielders)
Range Factor	2.33 (2nd Among MLB Right Fielders)
Zone Rating	.865 (10th Among MLB Right Fielders)

Nicholas William Markakis (mar-KAY-kis) (born November 17, 1983 in Glen Cove, New York) is an outfielder who currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles and went to Young Harris College. He was the Orioles' first-round draft pick, seventh player picked overall, in 2003 and was named to the Second Team in the 2005 Minor League All-Star Roster^[1]. Markakis was originally drafted in 2001 by the Cincinnati Reds, from Woodstock High School in Woodstock, GA but decided to attended Young Harris College instead. The Reds drafted him again in 2002, but did not sign then either.

At Young Harris College, Markakis played as both an outfielder and a pitcher, hitting for a .439 batting average with 21 home runs and 92 RBIs, while also gathering a 12-0 win-loss record as a pitcher with one save and a 1.68 earned run average in 15 games. Most Major League teams viewed Markakis as a pitching prospect, but the Orioles coveted his power. He spent his first year with the Aberdeen IronBirds, producing a strong batting average but little power in his swing. In 2004, Markakis played for the Greek Olympic baseball team, and spent the year with the Delmarva Shorebirds, where he raised his average and produced more power hitting. In 2005, Markakis started the year with the Frederick Keys and put together a solid first half of the baseball season. He won the Carolina/California League All-Star Game home run derby, and followed that up by being named MVP of the All-Star game after hitting two home runs in the game. Markakis was promoted a short time later to the Bowie Baysox, where he continued to hit well and earn a reputation as the Orioles' hottest prospect.

During the 2006 offseason, Markakis was widely regarded as the top hitting prospect in the Orioles' farm system. Several teams inquired about him in trades, but the Orioles rebuffed any proposal that included trading Markakis. With the team failing to sign a star outfielder, the Orioles decided instead to sign Jeff Conine for one year, hoping that Markakis was only a year away from playing the major leagues. Markakis began his first Spring Training with the Orioles in 2006, and immediately established himself by reaching base 9 out of his first 10 plate appearances. Because of his performance during Spring Training, Markakis was able to earn a roster spot on the Orioles opening day roster.

Markakis made his major league debut on April 3, 2006, when he was used as a late inning defensive replacement against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He received his first start and plate appearances on April 5, 2006, also against the Devil Rays. Hitting second and playing left field, Markakis drew three walks in his first three plate appearances and hit a 400 foot home run for his first major league hit in the Orioles 16-6 win. On August 22, 2006, Markakis went 3 for 4 with three home runs in an Orioles 6-3 win at Camden Yards. The game marked his first career three home run game, the 18th Oriole to do so and the first since 1999. The feat prompted a curtain call from the dugout for Markakis, earning him a feat that The Washington Post called "an ovation that is rarely seen in these parts anymore. Curtain calls are for Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, not Camden Yards." [2]

Markakis is half Greek and half German in background.[3]