Washington Nationals: Top 5 Offensive Seasons In History
By Matt Weyrich
Bryce Harper, 2015
Stats: 153 games, .330/.460/.649, 1.109 OPS, 172 hits, 38 doubles, 42 home runs, 118 runs scored, 99 RBIs, 6 stolen bases, 124 walks, and 131 strikeouts
Awards: Unanimous MVP, All-Star, Silver Slugger
"“I’ve seen some great seasons, but what Bryce has been able to accomplish this year has been pretty remarkable considering how he’s had to do it,” Scherzer said. “He’s the one player I’ve seen — like, Miggy’s Miggy, from Day 1 to 162, he’s the same guy — but I feel like we’ve seen Bryce get better as the year keeps progressing.” – Max Scherzer on Harper, 2015 (h/t Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post)"
Was there ever really any doubt? Bryce Harper’s historic 2015 campaign wasn’t just amazing by Nats standards; it was one of the greatest seasons in the history of the sport. At only 22-years-old, Harper entered the season dubbed the most overrated player in baseball. Needless to say, he put those doubters to shame with his spectacular play on the field. He posted the second highest OPS ever by a player in his age-22 season or younger. The only player ahead of him was some guy named Ted Williams.
Next: 2016 NLDS Tale of the Tape
The Nats didn’t make the postseason, but they might not have even finished over .500 had Harper not put together the season he had. He was unanimously selected NL MVP despite the team missing out on the postseason, becoming the youngest player to do so. While he hasn’t been able to rediscover that success this season, there are still many bright years ahead of him. In a few years from now we could very well find him scattered all around this list.