Bryce Harper is fulfilling his potential, and more

The Washington Nationals drafted Bryce Harper with the first-overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, hoping he would become a cornerstone for a contender. Harper had plenty of media hype coming into the league, having been on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a teenager. He was known for his tape-measure home runs, something that was supposed to translate into a superstar.

Harper came up to join the big-league club in 2012 and promptly won National League Rookie of the Year, hitting 22 home runs with a .270 average. In 2013, Harper was expected to break out but stayed at the same level, notching 20 homers and a .274 clip in 118 games. Last season, Harper was underwhelming to say the least, contributing 13 dingers and a .273 average.

However, in 2015, Harper has broken out to become the leader in the Most Valuable Player race. Harper is leading the senior circuit in almost all important categories. The Las Vegas native is fifth in average (.336), first in home runs (15), tied with Giancarlo Stanton for tops in RBI (38), head of the class in on-base percentage (.474) and first in slugging percentage (.737). Only 137 at-bats into the campaign, Harper has a 3.6 Wins Above Replacement number, a full 0.9 better than the second-best player in the NL, Dee Gordon.

If Harper can come close to continuing his pace, he will have reached the potential many believed was in him from a young age. Incredibly, Harper is only 22 years old, so it stands to reason his best season remain ahead of him. With a solid lineup around him featuring Ryan Zimmerman, Wilson Ramos, Yunel Escobar and Ian Desmond, Harper should continue to have ample RBI opportunities.

It has been fun watching the energetic youngster find himself at the MLB level. For years, there was always a simmering anger under the surface with Harper, seemingly expressing a desire to appease and achieve. Finally, Harper is where he, and legions of followers, expected him to be. At the top of the heap.

Troy Tulowitzki rumors

There have been rumblings in recent days about the Colorado Rockies moving star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The Rockies are in last place once again and probably don’t feel like paying the last six years of Tulowitzki’s 10-year, $157,750,000 contract.

So, who would take the contract on and give up anything of note? It seems the New York Mets would be a nice fit. The Mets desperately need another hitter to bolster a mediocre lineup. They already have a quality starting rotation and could be a real contender with a big bat. Tulowitzki is normally just that, although he’s hitting .285 with a pair of home runs and 13 RBI in 35 games.

Colorado has to acquire some pitching, something New York is stocked with. It’s time to come to the bargaining table and make a deal.