Top 10 MLB bounceback candidates for 2017

Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits a sacrifice fly during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 6, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward (22) hits a solo home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Jason Heyward

It’s never a good sign when a player entering the second year of an eight-year, $184-million contract has to roll out an entirely new swing. Jason Heyward has always been known as a tinkerer with his swing, but he needed to do something drastic after batting just .230/.306/.325 in his first season with the Chicago Cubs. In an attempt to be more comfortable at the plate, Heyward has dropped his hands away from his head, closer to his waist.

Heyward is attempting to remake his swing similar to the one he used in the 2012 season with the Atlanta Braves. He hit 27 home runs and drove in 82 that year, still his highest totals to date.

"“He was humbled from last year and wanted to work, wanted to get better,” Cubs assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske said. “Sometimes it takes a tough year to want to make a change. He’s a proud dude. He wants to be great. It really hurt him, the year he had last year.”"

It was a big gamble for the Cubs to sign Heyward to an eight-year deal given all of the inconsistency that has plagued him throughout his career. He is an excellent defender, the best right fielder in baseball, but his offense had to be projected to justify the massive contract. Heyward has still only hit more than 20 home runs once. He still has plenty of defensive value, and feeling more comfortable with his big contract in Chicago should take some of the pressure off. Heyward does not lack protection in the Cubs’ stacked lineup, and should rebound to post numbers similar to his one season with the St. Louis Cardinals.

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