Overrated? Harper is NL MVP, and It's Not Even Close

41 Percent. That's the number of players that believed Bryce Harper was the most overrated player in Major League Baseball in ESPN the Magazine's player poll released this past Spring. The poll would mark the second consecutive year that Harper would carry the distinction of leagues most overrated player. Early returns are, he won't be winning a third consecutive title. Despite the Washington National's struggles, Harper, just 22, produced one of the most impressive offensive performances in recent memory. 

Harper ranked in the top five of nearly every offensive category in 2015

The biggest criticism of Harper's 2015 season? The performance of his team. Being unable to navigate a National's team marred by injury and inconsistent pitching to a playoff berth would certainly cost Harper's MVP bid in any other season, but who should win this year's award isn't even up for discussion. 2015 saw Harper dominate almost every offensive statistical category. Harper ranked first in the Majors in on base percentage and slugging, while ranking third in batting average (second in the NL), posting an impressive .330/.460/.649. His 9.9 wins above replacement were also best in the majors, while he trailed only Joey Votto with 124 walks. Harper's 99 RBIs were good enough for 5th in the NL, while his 118 runs were good for the top spot. Harper's 146.1 runs created also topped the majors, while his 81 extra base hits put him in the top 5 of all of baseball.

Beyond the gaudy offensive numbers, the most discernible impact of Bryce Harper's game came with his newfound patience at the plate. In 2015, Bryce saw an average of 4.1 pitches per plate appearance, up from 3.9 in 2014. Even more indicative of Harper's maturation at the plate is his strikeout to walk ratio of nearly 1:1 (124 BBs and 131 Ks) as compared to nearly 5:2 in 2014 (38 BBs and 104 Ks). Harper took the next step in 2015, turning into the offensive juggernaut he was touted to be out of high school. His offensive game has evolved. In 2014, Harper could capitalize on mistakes. 2015 Harper's patient approach allowed him to capitalize on perfect pitches. Harper's 1.1090 OPS marked the first time a player posted a OPS above 1.100 since Albert Pujols in 2008. Harper, at 22, is the youngest player ever to post a OPS greater than 1.100, tied with hall of famers Ted Williams and Joe Kelley.

Bryce Harper started 2015 as the most overrated player according to MLB players. He'll end the year as the NL's most valuable, and it's not even close. 

DC Rising - Best Week in DC Sports History?

Now before I start, let's go ahead and throw out all the championships in DC sports history. Most people would argue a championship trumps overall good play in the postseason, regardless of how many teams were playing well. Yet for a city without a championship in one of the four major sports in 24 years, all four of DC's major franchises seem to be trending upwards. This past week could very possibly have been the best week in DC Sports History. It's definitely been the best in recent memory.

Washington Redskins

Let's start with the DC franchise most recently mired in mediocrity, and that's putting it nicely. This weekend saw new general manager Scot McCloughan stick to his draft board, draft players with toughness and an edge, and pick up extra selections. It'll take a few years to see how this draft turns out, but it has the chance to be a real "meat and potatoes" draft for a team that really needed it. In the upper half of the draft, McCloughan took players who can help immediately set the tone in the trenches. In the latter half, players who should immediately help on special teams. Fixing a deficient offensive line was a top priority, one that McCloughan did early and often. With a proven track record in evaluating talent, McCloughan has Washington on the right track. 

Washington Nationals

Max Scherzer, acquired this offseason, looked excellent Friday night

After losing four straight games on a ten game road trip, the Washington Nationals started the week with a 13-12, come from behind win over division rival Atlanta, after trailing 9-1 in the second inning. The following two nights produced a 13-4 clobbering of the Braves, and 8-2 win over the New York Mets. Despite a 4-0 loss on Friday night, Max Scherzer pitched like the ace the Nationals shelled out $210 million to acquire. Washington would cap off the week with back-to-back 1-0 wins, on the backs of two sensational pitching performances. Despite early troubles, the Nats are on the right track after taking two consecutive series from division rivals on the road. 

Washington Capitals

Capitals celebrate Joel Ward's buzzer-beater goal

The Capitals started the week with a game 7 and series win over the New York Islanders. Washington, who has struggled in game 7's recently, is making a strong bid in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Thursday night saw an improbable Game 1 win over the Eastern Conference's top-seeded New York Rangers. Joel Ward's goal with 1.2 seconds to go is one of the greatest moments in franchise history in the past several years. Despite a loss Saturday night, the Capitals have still stolen home ice. 

Otto Porter Jr (22) has played huge for
the Wizards in the 2015 postseason

Washington Wizards

Sunday night saw the Wizards dismantle a Toronto Raptors squad whose confidence had been destroyed, leading to Washington's first sweep of a seven game postseason series in franchise history. Game four saw a broken Raptors squad that appeared shell-shocked after a game three shellacking. After a full week of rest, the Wizards took on, and defeated the East's top seeded Atlanta Hawks. The Wiz are the hottest team in the East. They contained the Hawk's transition game, and forced them to play a half-court game in which they shot 37.8% from the floor. The playoff format should allow ample rest for banged-up, star guards Bradley Beal and John Wall after game 2. If the Wizards continue their excellent play in the postseason, they could find themselves in the Conference Finals, and even the NBA Finals. 

Nat's Comeback Win - Sign of Things to Come

Dan Uggla (26) blasts go-ahead 3-run home run in 9th inning of last nights
come from behind win. Uggla went 3-5 with 5 RBIs

It's not time to hit the panic button in Washington -- just yet. Despite a troubling start by the pre-season World Series favorites, last night's 13-12, come from behind win over the division rival Braves is the best thing the National's could have asked for. Yes, they still remain 7 games back from the division leading Mets, but with May right around the corner, there is still plenty of time to overcome that gap. Currently, the National's would have to play .560 baseball to catch the Mets if they were to play .500 baseball, a generous low-bar for a team with one of the most underrated rotations in the majors. 

After last night's game, it seems the turnaround Nat's fans have been waiting for is not far off. For one, their hitting at .224/.297/.668 line, still down from last year's .253/.321/.714 line. Last night, the club hit .375 with four walks, but more importantly a much better average with runners in scoring position, a problem that has nagged at this team to start the past three seasons. Considering Rendon is still on his way back, and Jayson Werth is still getting up to speed, these numbers should improve drastically. Additionally, the club has a 3.81 ERA and WHIP of 1.44, far above their 3.03 and 1.16 averages in 2014. When relief pitcher Aaron Barrett leads the team in wins with two, there is a problem. These numbers should also improve for a rotation that is, at the very least, just as good as last years. Let's not forget, this is a team that had 8 walk-off or overtime wins in the month of August alone in 2014. Last night was a demonstration of this team's focus; play good baseball and the wins will come. Over the first month of the season, we've been expecting for things to go wrong. After coming back from a 9-2 deficit to win, we can start expecting for things to go right again.

Zimmerman A Revelation at First

Ask any Nationals fan and it was an inevitable move, Zimmerman to first. Yet, some would probably be surprised how quickly it happened. Many third basemen have made the move in an attempt to prolong their career, so it was only logical that the National's first draft pick since returning to DC would make the move as well. With the emergence of Anthony Rendon, and Zimmerman's difficulty throwing in the past two seasons, Zimmerman was moved to first this year after the departure of Adam LaRoche to Chicago. 

Zimmerman's offense has always been a boon. A career .285 hitter, Zimmerman already has 12 RBI's in 12 games this season, despite an uncharacteristic .228 batting average. Before the past few seasons, Zimmerman's fielding was equally impressive, as he played at a Gold Glove level in 2009. The move to first has precipitated a return to Gold Glove form, as Zimmerman is yet to record an error, and has already flashed a myriad of web gems including this diving catch on April 17. If Zimmerman's bat can come around in the next few weeks, he could find himself back in the All-Star Game for the first time since 2009. 

Escobar Trade Paying Early Dividends

Tyler Clippard traded to Oakland this winter for Yunel Escobar

Flexibility. That's what Yunel Escobar brought the Washington National's on paper. Earlier this year, the National's traded set-up man, and all-around solid reliever Tyler Clippard for Escobar, whose primary position is shortstop. Clippard, whose sports glasses have become iconic in Washington since he was acquired from the New York Yankees, was not easy to part with. But, with the addition of Tanner Roark in the bullpen, and the already stellar rotation, the benefit Escobar outweighed the loss of Clippard.

It's clear what Escobar brought the National's on paper. Escobar has already played great at third while Anthony Rendon recovers from a sprained MCL suffered in March, recording only one error to date. He'll slide into the second base spot once Rendon returns, and offers the ability to grant off days to both Ian Desmond and Rendon without forcing reserves Danny Espinosa or Dan Uggla to play out of position. Escobar even gives the Nationals flexibility in the coming offseason. If Desmond walks in free agency, Escobar will still be under contract for another season, giving Washington the opportunity to look for a new second baseman or shortstop.

Pleasantly however, Escobar has provided some much needed pop in the line-up as the Nationals try to get 100% healthy. Already with a lead-off home run, and Tuesday night's walk-off home run in the 10th inning, Escobar is hitting .280 with an OPS just below .800. A career .276 hitter, Escobar has shown the ability to come up big in the clutch, including his two-out, three RBI double in the 3rd inning of last nights game with the St. Louis Cardinals. Coming up big in the clutch will be huge in the playoffs if the Nationals are to live up to their preseason billing.

Desi's Big Game A Sign, Slump Is Over

Not pretty. You'd probably get this, or a similar response, if you asked someone to describe the first two weeks of the Washington National's, and more specifically shortstop Ian Desmond's season. The World Series Favorites got off to a less than stellar start, going 2-6 and giving up 10 unearned runs, while Desmond committed 6 fielding errors. It took him until late April to tally as many last season; a season that started over a week earlier than this years. Suffice it to say, baseball fans know we only really pay attention to April baseball so far as it affects our fantasy team. There is no need to worry. Despite a tantalizing start by the division rival Mets, since getting Jayson Werth back healthy, the Nationals have pulled to .500. With Anthony Rendon still on the mend, and Denard Span and Werth still getting their swings back, the Nationals still look like the best candidate to come out of the NL East.

But where does that leave Desmond? After starting the season batting .115 through 7 games, Desmond has been on a tear. He comes into tonights matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals batting a team leading .304 with a .364 OBP and OPS of over .800. More importantly however, is the confidence with which Desmond is fielding. Despite early struggles, and visible frustration on the field, Desmond made several terrific plays, turning two double plays and turning in this web gem. Confidence can go a long way in a 162 game season. Tuesday night showed us, Desmond's got his back.

Injury Woes, Braves Struggles Ring Similar Tune For Nationals

Zimmerman? Out 4-6 weeks. Wilson Ramos? Also out 4-6 weeks. Fister? Tuning up for activation. Span? Seven day disabled list. Werth? Worrisome groin strain. Early season injuries have become a familiar problem for the team many picked as preseason favorites in the National League East. The Washington Nationals are no strangers to injury. One year removed from winning 98 games, the Nationals saw their record slip to 86-76 in 2013. Injuries were a large part of the dip, as the team saw Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, and Wilson Ramos all miss extended time. Their record with all three in the lineup? 33-20, or the winning percentage of an 100-win season. 

Ryan Zimmerman (3B) fractures his thumb in
a game at Atlanta on April 12. Out 4-6 weeks.

Early injuries in 2014 could spell trouble for a team facing a season-long fight with NL East rival Atlanta for the division crown. In a division containing improved rosters in Miami and New York, the Nationals have little margin for error while their stars get healthy. 

Luckily, the Atlanta Braves have had their own trouble with injuries to start the 2014 season, having already lost pitchers Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy for the season. Yet, the Nationals have failed to capitalize in two series with the Braves so far, going 1-5 while posting a minus-16 run differential. The Nationals have handled their business elsewhere, sweeping series with the division rival Mets and Marlins. However, the team can't afford to post a record against Atlanta similar to the 6-13 record they posted in 2013. 

The Nationals will next face the Braves at home on June 19. They will look to get back on track against Miami as they lead the first game of a 3-game series, 9-2, heading into the stretch.