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MLB: Key to success for all 30 teams heading into 2015

By Robby Sabo

Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the 9th inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the 9th inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits a home run during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants in game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits a home run during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants in game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Nationals

  • 2014 Finish: 96-66, 1st in NL East, Lost in NLDS
  • 2015 Key to Success: Bryce Harper assuming responsibility

The top team in the NL last season turned out to be a familiar regular season team.

The problem for the Washington Nationals is that tag of “top team” has not yet extended past September and spilled into October.

For that to happen Bryce Harper will need to step up as the unquestioned leader of the team, statistically and figuratively.

Right now the Nats are the best baseball team on paper. The acquisition of former AL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer has given the club one of the nastiest staffs baseball has seen in quite a long time.

The bullpen also seems loaded with talents like closer Drew Storen and a few other promising arms. Aside from Anthony Rendon, Harper is who the Nats will rely upon offensively this season.

It’s a crazy world we now live in.

Due to instant gratification and information spewing from every angle, the 22-year hold Harper has already been dubbed a disappointment in the eyes of so many. This is a guy who hit 22 home runs in his rookie season.

Staying on the field has been his big bugaboo. Only participating in 218 games of a possible 324 over the past two seasons is an issue.

Harper needs to safely cement himself as “the guy” in the lineup and continue some of the clutch hitting flashes he’s shown in his team’s two brief postseason appearances.

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