Welcome back to the Most Important Players in MLB series! So far we’ve only covered the AL East and if you missed that edition you can read up on it here.
The Most Important Players in 2015: NL East
The National League East is a division that appears fairly predictable heading into 2015. The Washington Nationals continued to get better this offseason and look like clear favorites. Meanwhile the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves appear to be in a rebuilding mode and should be counted upon to finish at the bottom of this division. Finally, the Miami Marlins and New York Mets are looking to make a push for the playoffs this season, although neither match-up very favorably with Nats. But, if I’ve learned anything in my years of watching baseball, it’s that preseason banter doesn’t mean anything on the field.
What we do know though, is that every team has a player who will be crucial to their team’s success, or lack thereof. I like to call these players the Most Important Players, or MIPs. As defined in the previous article, a team’s MIP is not the same as the team’s MVP. In some cases a team’s MIP will also be their MVP, but in most cases they will not. These are those players for the NL East’s teams.
Philadelphia Phillies: 2B, Chase Utley
The Phillies are obviously a tough team to pin down thanks to their perplexing GM, Ruben Amaro Jr. While it’s safe to say this team won’t be making anyone’s short list of World Series contenders anytime soon, Amaro seems hellbent on keeping many of his team’s “star” players. Sure unloading Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd was a step in the right direction; but hanging on to guys like Cole Hamels and Chase Utley just doesn’t make much sense at this point. But that is why Chase Utley is the Phillies MIP for 2015. For Utley to have a productive 2015 could mean two things for the Phillies:
A) Utley contributes to a pleasantly surprising Phillies team helping them make a push for the playoffs.
or more likely,
B) Utley is the lone bright spot in a mediocre Phillies’ lineup forcing them to trade away their long-time second baseman for some much needed prospects.
Utley’s health is obviously a factor in all of this as well. Last year was the first season he’s played in over 131 games since 2009, so for Utley to help this team or be an attractive trade chip he needs to maintain this health streak. Don’t hold your breathe on any of what I just said though Phillies fans. It’s probably going to be another turbulent season.
Miami Marlins: OF, Marcell Ozuna
I was so close to putting Jose Fernandez in this spot but I held off for a couple reasons. First of all, the additions of Mat Latos and Dan Haren give the Marlins a big boost in talent and depth for their rotation. Assuming Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez can continue their growth, this rotation really doesn’t need Fernandez back until he’s ready (although I think I speak for Marlins fans when I say, ‘Please Jose, hurry back’).
Instead, the Marlins 2015 season hinges most on Ozuna taking that next step in his development. Presumably batting behind Christian Yelich and in front of the almighty Giancarlo Stanton, Ozuna’s bat will play a major role for Miami’s offense in 2015. At just 24, Ozuna has the potential to be a deadly power hitter alongside Stanton. While his slash line of .269/.317/.455 leaves much to be desired, his 23 home runs and 85 RBIs suggests he possesses the tools to be Stanton’s sidekick. If Ozuna is able to take the next step, the Marlins will benefit greatly.
New York Mets: SP, Matt Harvey
I think the Mets could make the playoffs in 2015. That all depends however on a lot of things going there way. David Wright and Curtis Granderson will need better seasons, Zach Wheeler needs to take the next step in his development and Jacob deGrom needs a repeat of 2014. But above all, Matt Harvey needs a dominant comeback performance. In case you’ve forgotten how great Harvey was before his Tommy John surgery, here’s a brief refresher. In his 36 career starts he sports a 152 ERA+, 2.33 FIP (including a league leading 2.01 FIP in 2013), a 261:57 K:BB ratio, and a 0.985 WHIP. Wow, what else needs to be said about this guy? Harvey was one of the three or four best pitchers in the game from 2012-2013.
The Mets potential playoff chances rest on the right arm of Harvey. If he can be anything close to what he was before his injury, the Mets will have one of the best rotations in all of baseball. That in itself will keep the Mets in the hunt. Harvey may in fact be the most important player in this entire division for that reason.
Atlanta Braves: 1B, Freddie Freeman
This is a case of a team’s MVP also being their MIP. Freddie Freeman is a hitting machine. He’s one of the only guys in the game today who can hit for average and power. While his 18 home runs and .288/.386/.461 slash line are disappointing in comparison to his breakout 2013 campaign, there isn’t reason to worry. Freeman’s got a great eye in the batter’s box as his 90 walks last season was good for 3rd in the National League. Freeman raked a career high 43 doubles, indicating that his power is still there as well. Additionally, he’s a plus defender at 1B with a .996 fielding percentage last season. All things considered Freeman’s a beast and will at least keep the Braves watchable in 2015.
Unfortunately however, the Braves 2015 chances don’t look too bright. After losing a lot of talent in their lineup, the team will rely on Freeman more than ever. But entering his age 25 season, Freeman’s best years should still be ahead of him. A .300/30/100 season is not at all out of the question for 2015 and would set up the Braves nicely for a productive 2016.
Washington Nationals: LF, Bryce Harper
Raise your hand if you saw this one coming. The Nationals are a team loaded with talent making it difficult to single out any individual player worthy of the MIP on their roster. It’s probably fair to say that Harper is that player however. Harper’s 2014 was pretty much a disaster from start to finish. His numbers across the board dipped as he slashed .273/.344/.423. While his lack of power was disturbing (only 10 doubles and 13 home runs), what is scariest about Harper’s 2014 is that he struck out 104 times in only 395 plate appearances. To make matters worse his BB% also decreased. A 111 OPS+ was a career worst and doesn’t inspire too much confidence heading into 2015. If his 2015 is anything like 2014, many will begin to write him off.
On paper, all of that is terrible. However much of the reason for these disappointing numbers was Harper’s thumb injury which bothered him for most of the season. Now 100% healthy, Harper should be ready to finally breakout in 2015. The Nationals are once again many pundits early pick to win the World Series in 2015 and much of that is anticipating a breakout year from Harper. If he can put it all together, it will be a long season for the rest of the NL East.
There you have it everyone, our NL East edition of the Most Important Players series. Check back soon as we cover the Most Important Players in the AL Central next.
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