Washington Nationals 2017 Fantasy Outlook: Hidden Gems

5. Michael A. Taylor

By 2017, Washington Nationals fans will have heard this name and been disappointed far too much, but once again he is impressing in spring training.  He is capable of hitting 20 home runs if given the time. Someday, he is going to click and hit above .280. Maybe 2017 is that year.

Taylor’s path to playing time is not too crowded. All it would take is one injury from Werth, Harper or Eaton, who outside of Eaton, aren’t the best at staying healthy. If selected as the fourth outfielder, Taylor will get some meaningful playing time weekly in an effort to keep the others healthy. That type of playing time is not enough to roster him on your fantasy team but if one of the stars get injured he is next in line.

If he becomes a full time player due to injury, he would be someone that I would take a serious look at on the waiver wire. It isn’t often that you can find someone who has the ability to steal bases and hit home runs.

Although it is less proven, Taylor also has the ability to hit well. In 76 games last year, Taylor stole 14 bags and hit seven home runs. Those types of numbers would easily fit into your fantasy team if you are looking for steals or home runs in category leagues or if you need someone to fill in while someone is injured.

If given the time to play this year, Taylor is going to have some sort of impact. If he finally gets that batting average up to par, he may actually turn into a fantasy star.

Erick Fedde

This guy has a lot to prove coming into 2017. If I was him, I would be on a mission to prove that the Washington Nationals didn’t get rid of all their young pitching like some narratives have stated. Fedde looks like he could contribute at the major league level for years to come and 2017 may be his introduction to the fantasy baseball world.

Once again, all it takes for Fedde to get some real time is good play in the minors and an injury. Also, the Washington Nationals pitching staff has a couple of pitchers who are synonymous with injury.

Fedde has looked amazing this spring. His mid 90’s fastball and above average secondary offerings have really matured coming into 2017 and he looks like he’s on the verge of taking a huge step in 2017.

Fedde is in a similar position that Lucas Giolito was in last year. Unfortunately, that huge step didn’t work out well for Giolito, but the Washington Nationals may try it again with Fedde. He isn’t the next obviously choice for a major league start. Pitchers like Austin Voth and A.J. Cole have had more time in the minors and look to be a little closer.

The Washington Nationals have shown in the past that if they think the pitcher is ready, they will bump him up a couple levels. If Fedde takes spring success into the 2017 season, he could see a few starts in the big leagues come the summer.

Obviously Fedde won’t be a mainstay on your fantasy team this year, but he could be a great streamer option. I would not pick him up in his first start, but if he does well there and he is going to get a few more you should take the chance.

Blake Treinen

This is the first player on this list that already has a guaranteed role on the 2017 Washington Nationals, but he could be so much more than his role.

When you hear about the Washington Nationals closer battle you hear the names Treinen, Koda Glover, and Kelley. According to most people, it is Kelley’s job to lose and Kelley’s ADP (average draft position) backs that up. He is the only one of the three being drafted, which in a few short months will look like crazy talk.

Treinen has the stuff to be the next big thing in the closer market. According to Brooks Baseball, he has a fastball that averages 97 mph and a sinker averaging 96 mph, the best closer in baseball last year had a very similar repertoire.

Yes, I’m talking about Zach Britton and the similarities are too much to overlook. Their pitch types are almost identical with slight variations in their secondary pitches. Treinen has one huge flaw and that is his walk rate of 4.16 per nine innings.

That numbers is just too high if he wants to be a closer. However, he could easily bring that down in 2017 and he has yet to let up a walk this spring. Although Treinen’s ground ball rate of 65% (Fangraphs) is not quite as high as Britton’s (80%). He still is above league average and if given a defined closer role, he could bring that up as well.

Treinen has all the tools to be a closer and his health will likely be what puts him in a final grouping of Glover and himself for the closing job. Kelley is someone you should likely stay away from in draft and you should give a closer look to Treinen. If he is the closer come opening day, he could be a waiver wire stud in your fantasy leagues.

Adam Lind

I hate to go with an unintended injury theme with this piece, but let’s face it. The Washington Nationals have had some serious injury issues in the past. Ryan Zimmerman has been one of the most injured having only played in over 100 games once since 2014.

This leads to another chance for a player off the bench. Adam Lind was brought to the Nationals to be injury insurance and if he gets the chance he could be the same thing for your fantasy team.

Lind has hit well the past two years, posting 20 home runs in 2015 and 2016. This year, he will be coming off the bench and won’t help your fantasy team in that role. If Zimmerman does end up getting injured, that changes everything.

Lind will bring a good batting average to your fantasy team and home run power if you choose to pick him up. First base is deep, but let’s take a look at a player that will be owned in more leagues due to his roll. This player will also be on the waiver wire a lot and it could come down to a choice between him and Lind if Lind is given the time.

I’m talking about Brandon Belt. Belt has a clearer roll, but I’m not too sure that Belt is the clear run away choice. Belt had less home runs (17) in 2016 and a higher K% of 22.6% according to Fangraphs. Strikeouts hurt in fantasy baseball and Lind had a lot less last year. If Lind is there and Zimmerman is out, pick him up and his bat will be a nice piece for a fantasy team that is looking to fill in for a injury.

Koda Glover

Just like most Washington Nationals talk in 2017, we are back to the bullpen. Glover is one of the most fascinating pieces that the Nationals have. He shot through the minors last year and became a nice bullpen piece for the team before his hip injury.

More from District on Deck

• Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
• Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
• Washington Nationals Minor League Spotlight: Robert Hassell III
• Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
• 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On

Glover seems to be healthy this year and he looks great this spring. It’s unlikely he gets the closer job right out of camp due to Dusty Baker’s fondness for veterans. But, if Glover gets a shot in that role this yea, look out. Get on your waiver wire and take him.

Glover getting a shot at that role would mean that he continued his progress this year. His slider/fastball combo are more than enough to strikeout big league hitters. Just ask Mitch Moreland, Chris Young and Jackie Bradley Jr. who Glover struck out in order on Tuesday.

He’s young, but he looks more than ready to take over this job. Although pitching through his injury last year was not the brightest decision, it proves that Glover has that grit that Baker is looking for in a closer.

Next: Romero Has Great Opportunity In WBC

Treinen and Glover are the two bullpen pieces I would keep an eye on early this year. Obviously, I hope both succeed in real life. But, due to the way fantasy baseball is setup, it’s likely only one will contribute. Whichever one gets a shot at closing needs to be on your fantasy team. They both have the stuff to do the job and could end up being your fantasy closer this year.