Washington Nationals: 5 x-factors for Bryce Harper in 2018

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Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper is entering a monumental season. Here are five x-factors for his big year.

2018 has barely begun, but it appears to be a fateful season for the Washington Nationals. They suffered yet another early postseason exit in 2017, and are now entering ’18 with a new coaching staff in place.

These two things would make the season an enormous one for any team, but the Nats have one outstanding circumstance that trumps both of these. Bryce Harper is entering his contract season.

It is hard to believe, especially since he is just 25 years old, but Harper’s contract expires at the end of the season. It has been talked about for several years now, but it has finally arrived.

Due to Harper’s impending free agency, some people have been predicting that the Nats’ window to win is closing. However, that is not the case. Harper is a generational talent, and he certainly makes the Nats better, but they would be able to survive without him.

Victor Robles, the Nats’ top prospect, is knocking on the door of the majors. He showcased his talents in a cup of coffee towards the end of 2017, but there is not a spot for him in the majors. He will likely begin the season in the minors, but appears ready to handle a major league role.

Harper is among the best players in the league, but the Nats are well-equipped for a potential life without him. Despite Robles’ presence as a rising star, 2018 will be a fateful year for Harper and the Nats.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at five x-factors for Harper in his monumental season.

Contract year distractions

Contract seasons are full of additional distractions for high-profile players; they have to deal with the media discussing their contract status, they do not know where they will be playing the next season, and they feel additional pressure to perform.

Harper’s contract year has barely begun, but he is already handling it perfectly. Before beginning his first press conference of spring training, he made a point of saying that he will not field questions pertaining to anything beyond 2018. His reasoning for this is because he is completely focused on winning with the Nats this year.

Although Harper caught some criticism for this statement, it was the right thing to do.

Despite the fact that Harper will not answer questions about his contract status, it will be a hot topic of discussion all year. His impending free agency has been the most-anticipated free agency case of all-time, having been heavily discussed for several seasons now.

Harper may not answer questions about his contract status, but it will be impossible to avoid all year.

Finally, Harper may feel a little extra pressure to perform. People have speculated that he will receive a contract worth $400-500 million, but a solid season would further strengthen his case to receive the most lucrative contract of all-time.

While Harper may feel a little extra pressure to perform, it will not affect him. He has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, even being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16. Pressure has never seemed to bother him, which will be the case once again in 2018.

As a matter of fact, his contract year may actually help him perform better. Players typically either choke under the pressure of a contract year or produce a career-year.

Harper has produced historic seasons before, but 2018 may be his best year yet. Only time will tell.

Remaining healthy

The one blemish on Harper’s phenomenal career thus far has been his inability to remain healthy at times. He came into the league as a 19-year-old wanting to do everything he could to prove he belonged.

Early in his career, Harper suffered a few injuries from immature, hard-nosed, plays, such as running into the wall at full speed trying to make a catch. He has now matured and does not suffer these types of injuries, but has still struggled to remain healthy at times.

Most recently, we saw Harper tear up his knee on a wet first base. He only hyperextended it, but it could have been much worse.

Part of the blame is obviously on the wet base, but part of it falls on Harper as well. He was hustling down the line in an attempt to beat out an infield single, but the conditions did not allow this much hustle.

The game circumstances also did not require this much hustle. It was the first inning of a matchup with the unraveling Giants in August. The Nats had the division just about locked up and it was the first inning. His hustle is obviously appreciated, but he could benefit from toning it down at times.

After Harper returned from the injury, he was not the same. He missed nearly two months and had to rush his recovery to return in time for the postseason. Returning from any injury is difficult, but rushing made it even harder.

If Harper is able to remain healthy in 2018, he could have his best year yet. However, if he battles injuries again, he could struggle.

Bryan Harper

On top of being an extraordinary baseball player, Harper is a huge family man. He attributes his success to his supportive parents, especially his father who has always helped him practice. He also recently married his longtime girlfriend.

In addition to being close with his parents and wife, Harper is very close with his brother, Bryan Harper. They are brothers right now, but their relationship could soon acquire another title: teammates.

Bryan Harper, who is older than Bryce by three years, is a left-handed reliever in the Nats’ organization. He did not pitch in 2017, due to his ongoing recovery from Tommy John Surgery, but pitched very well in 2016. He has not yet reached the majors, but is knocking on the door.

This spring, Bryan Harper earned his first invite to major league camp. Although he is unlikely to break camp with the team, a strong spring could put him on the short list to earn a promotion in the event of an injury.

If Bryan Harper were to pitch for the Nats, it would give Bryce the amazing opportunity of playing with his brother. Bryce has made it clear that this is something he wants, but it could finally come to fruition in 2018.

Assuming he remains healthy, Bryan Harper should at least earn a September call-up. We have no way of knowing exactly how much this means to Bryce, but perhaps the prospect of playing with his brother will help keep him in DC long-term.

Kevin Long

After Dusty Baker was dismissed following yet another early postseason exit, the Nats had several managerial candidates on their short list. Kevin Long ultimately came up short, with Dave Martinez getting the job, but he was hired as the hitting coach.

Long had spent the last few seasons as the Mets hitting coach, but will now join the Nats’ revamped coaching staff.

Throughout Long’s illustrious coaching career, his biggest success has been Daniel Murphy. Long worked with Murphy to make some slight alterations, which resulted in him becoming a completely different hitter. Long transformed Murphy from a good hitter to an elite hitter.

Although Murphy gets most of the credit, since he is the one who is actually performing, he attributes his success to Long. Now, Murphy and Long are reunited with the Nats.

Because of his successes with players like Murphy, Long is among the most well-respected coaches in the league. Now, he will get to work with arguably his best lineup yet.

Obviously, the Nats’ lineup is highlighted by Harper. The 25-year-old superstar has been a terrific hitter thus far, but Long could potentially make him even better.

If Long’s track record is any indication of what is to come with Harper, 2018 could be his best year yet.

Batting order

Last April, we got a glimpse of the chaos Adam Eaton and Trea Turner can create at the top of the lineup. Unfortunately, Eaton suffered a season-ending injury in late-April, which drastically changed the dynamic of the Nats’ lineup.

Now, Eaton is ready to return. Dave Martinez has announced that Eaton will lead off, with Turner in the two-hole and Harper batting third.

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Between Eaton and Turner, two bonafide leadoff hitters, the Nats will often have at least one runner on the bases for Harper. Add in their base stealing abilities, and Harper will have endless RBI opportunities.

Eaton and Turner could be restricted when it comes to stealing bases, because then opposing pitchers can walk Harper with an open base, but Martinez believes that Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman, and Daniel Murphy will provide adequate protection. If pitchers choose to take their chances with Rendon, Zimmerman, or Murphy, so be it.

Harper plated 26 runs last April, which was his most in any month. Part of this can be attributed to a hot start, but most of it is because of all the run-scoring opportunities created by Eaton and Turner.

With Eaton back in the lineup, we can expect another big year from Harper. He has yet to record a 100-RBI season, but 2018 could be the year.

Next: Jake Arrieta too expensive for Nats

2018 is set to be an enormous year for Harper and the Nats, but there is reason to believe that it can be a rewarding year for both parties. Grab a seat and some popcorn now; you’re not going to want to miss this.

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