Washington Nationals: Predicting the 2018 Opening Day lineup

RF BRYCE HARPER

.302-309 Avg. 35-38 HR 99-126 RBI .416-.418 OBP

Although those numbers do not scream MVP, they are close. The key for Harper is staying healthy, something he struggled with the last two seasons.

If you go back to his 2015 MVP season, you see he walked 124 times with only 15 called intentional. He must draw around the same this year if he hopes to win another one in his contract year.

The reason he fits better at three than two is his ability to drive in runs. With Eaton, along with a combo of Rendon and Turner ahead, Harper will get his chances. Hard to fathom a player of his talents has yet to break 100 RBI in a single season.

That should change in 2018. Harper hits the peak of his career in the best shape of his career. Unless he signs an in-season extension, his numbers this year will dictate his price this fall. For him, the stakes could not get higher.

So, unless he thrives elsewhere this spring, third is Harper’s best fit. With a healthy Zimmerman and Murphy behind him, pitching around Harper is almost as dangerous as throwing him strikes. Remember, the MVP season his OBP was .460. Anything close to that earns a second and makes Washington a prohibitive favorite in the playoffs.