Back in full-time starting role, Roark seized opportunity

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Tanner Roark, who returning to full-time starting duties this year and put up stats comparable to his breakthrough 2014 season.

PLAYER REVIEW: TANNER ROARK

Age on opening day 2017: 30

How acquired: Acquired from Rangers with Ryan Tatusko for Cristian Guzman, July 2010

MLB service time: 3 years, 55 days

2016 salary: $543,400

Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2017, free agent in 2020.

2016 stats: 16-10, 2.83 ERA, 34 G, 33 GS, 0 CG, 210 IP, 173 H, 72 R, 66 ER, 17 HR, 73 BB, 172 SO, 13 HBP, 1.171 WHIP, 5.5 WAR

Quotable: "Having the 15-win season in '14 was a big confidence builder. ... It taught me that I don't have to throw the ball by everybody. Just go back to your roots, and locate the ball and make them feel uncomfortable at the plate." - Tanner Roark

2016 analysis: Cast aside to the bullpen after the Nationals signed Max Scherzer in 2015, Tanner Roark was given a chance to return to a full-time starting role this season. And he wasted no time seizing that opportunity.

In three of his first five starts, Roark went seven scoreless innings while allowing four or fewer hits. That became a common theme for the right-hander, who led the majors with nine starts in which he pitched at least seven innings and didn't surrender a run.

There were a few bumps along the way, most notably against the Marlins (who scored 16 runs in their first 15 innings against him this year), but Roark was mostly a model of consistency throughout the season. He never posted an ERA worse than 3.56 in any month.

In the end, Roark finished 16-10 with a 2.83 ERA. The last time he was a full-time starter, in 2014, he finished 15-10 with a 2.85 ERA.

2017 outlook: Though you can never say never, especially with Mike Rizzo calling the shots, it's about as safe as possible to say that Roark won't be bumped out of the Nationals rotation this time. He has firmly established himself as one of the most consistent starters in baseball and as valuable to this team as any of the bigger names who also make up the top of its rotation.

Roark has grown as a pitcher, learning what works for him and what doesn't. He has realized he's at his best when he doesn't try to overpower hitters and when he relies on command and movement, especially of his devastating two-seam fastball that cuts back over the inside corner of the plate to left-handed batters. He'll continue to need to make minor adjustments along the way, but there's no need to change the formula that has worked so well for him.

Roark stands to be rewarded nicely for his efforts. Eligible for arbitration for the first time, he's likely to see his salary skyrocket from this year's figure near the league minimum to perhaps $6 million in 2017. He's still Nationals property through the 2019 season, but perhaps the organization will begin thinking now about locking him up beyond that.