Fansided

Top 25 MLB players to watch in October

By Joshua Sadlock

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 1: Clayton Kershaw (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 1: Clayton Kershaw (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals watches the game in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on September 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 10: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals watches the game in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on September 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

2. Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper has been out with a knee injury since he slipped on a wet base on August 12. The injury Harper suffered looked ugly and potentially of the season-ending variety at first, but he was diagnosed with a hyperextended knee and a severe bone bruise. His rehab has progressed slowly, but the Washington Nationals are confident he can return in time to play in the postseason.

Prior to the injury, Harper was making his case for another MVP award. In 106 games, Harper was hitting .326/.419/.614 with 92 runs, 27 doubles, 29 home runs and 87 RBI. Had he stayed healthy, he would have blown his 2015 MVP numbers out of the water.

The initial scare of seeing Harper writing on the ground in pain and grabbing his knee has worn off, and the Nationals seem certain his body will be ready physically for the postseason. What remains to be seen is how well he will get himself locked back in at the plate. Minor-league seasons are over, and his rehab is different from Kyle Schwarber’s season-long recovery from a torn ligament last year. Schwarber was able to hole up at the Cubs training facility and work with the minor leaguers and hit in the Arizona Fall League. Harper doesn’t have time for that, and his timetable does not offer much wiggle room to get ready.

If Harper is able to feel comfortable running, he will be out there when the playoffs begin. His presence in the lineup or lack thereof does not much change the Nationals status as legitimate World Series contenders. They are a deep team that has a chance to win it all even without their biggest star.

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