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 5, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Matt Harvey

Last season was rough from the jump for Matt Harvey of the New York Mets. His spring was interrupted by an embarrassing situation stemming from a blood clot in his bladder. We all found out way too much about the pitcher’s bathroom habits.

Bathroom talk aside, Harvey’s 2016 season was ugly for a much bigger reason. He pitched poorly in his debut against the Kansas City Royals, and it was evident that he was not himself. Harvey’s velocity was way down, and his breaking ball was not crisp. Before eventually being shut down after 17 starts, Harvey was 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA. He struck out only 7.4 per nine after striking out more than a batter per inning in his first three seasons with the Mets.

Harvey was eventually diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, and underwent surgery. That procedure can be difficult to recover from, but the only recent examples around the league to consider were much older pitchers already on the downside of their career. Harvey should recover and return to form. His first spring outing was ugly, but there is still plenty of time for him to round into form and get comfortable with his mechanics.

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