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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 01: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals hits a three-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Nationals Park on May 1, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 01: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals hits a three-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Nationals Park on May 1, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

2. Bryce Harper

The pursuit of a $400-million contract appears to be having very little impact on free-agent-to-be Bryce Harper’s performance. Pitchers continue to try and avoid pitching to Harper, but a recent move into the leadoff spot may make that more difficult. It would also help if the rest of the Washington Nationals lineup began hitting.

In 31 games this year, Harper has an eye-popping 39 walks and only 21 strikeouts. He is hitting .268/.464/.598 and leads the National League with 10 home runs. There have been moments of frustration over the limited number of pitches in the strike zone, but when Harper does get something to hit, he has typically punished it.

Harper has yet to play a full season at his MVP levels of 2015. He got off to his typical hot start in 2016 but then went into a mysterious slump after the Chicago Cubs decided to pitch around him for an entire series. Harper hit only .243/.373/.441 that year with 24 home runs and 86 RBI. He may have won another MVP last year, but missed 50 games after injuring his knee on a wet base. His final numbers — .319/.413/.595 with 29 home runs and 87 RBI in only 111 games — were worthy of MVP consideration.

The postseason has been a monkey on Harper and the Nationals backs, but he did finally deliver a few big hits last year. He looks more locked in than ever and is poised to put up historic numbers in his walk year and cash in like no one else in MLB history.

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