Is a Triple Crown next for Bryce Harper?

By now we've thoroughly defined how historic Bryce Harper's record-breaking 2015 season was. But while expected after becoming one of the most hyped prospects the game has ever seen, Harper's year could also be described as a breakthrough.

After bursting onto the scene with 22 homers in his rookie season, Harper couldn't exceeded that total as nagging injuries bothered him the following two years. In 2016, he mashed 42 longballs.

Harper batted .330 in 2015, a whopping 58 points higher than the combined .272 average he posted in his first three seasons. And his 99 RBIs exceeded the best total of his career by 40.

Harper had the majors' best on-base percentage (.460), slugging percentage (.649) and OPS (1.109), and his slash line nearly led the entire National League, if not for his batting average falling three points short of Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon's .333 mark.

The 42 homers mashed by Harper tied Colorado's Nolan Arenado for most in the NL. But Harper's 99 RBIs tied for fifth in the league and well back of Arenado's league-leading 130.

Naturally, one of baseball's top storylines throughout spring training will be whether Harper can duplicate his success from 2015. But why not take it a step further and ask if the 23-year-old can win the NL's first Triple Crown since Joe Medwick accomplished the feat with the Cardinals in 1937? That's a long, long time ago, but remember some of the legends - Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth - that Harper's historic season evoked last year.

Consider that on Sept. 22 of last season, Harper's .342 average and 41 homers led the NL with a just a few days remaining, while his RBIs still were well back of Arenado's. But Harper just wasn't getting the run-producing opportunities.

Injuries obliterated the Nationals lineup in 2015, particularly at the top of the order where leadoff man Denard Span was limited to only 61 games, while normal No. 2 hitter Anthony Rendon saw action in just 80 contests. Injury-plagued seasons caused subpar years for veterans Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman, leaving Harper with no protection in the lineup.

If Harper has Span, who tied for the NL lead with 184 hits in 2014, and Rendon, who scored an NL-best 111 runs in 2014, batting in front of him all season, how many more RBIs does the MVP rack up?

So while we know after last year the Nats must stay healthy to contend in 2016, it's also important for Harper to make another run at history. Span is gone, replaced by speedy Ben Revere, who tied the former Nationals center fielder for most hits two seasons ago.

"Of course, he's the MVP," Revere said of Harper. "I've been watching him for a long time. He's definitely one of the top guys. I know when I get over there I'll be like, 'I'm just trying to get you a lot of RBIs so you can win back-to-back MVPs.' "

Revere has hit above .300 for three straight seasons. If his hot bat continues in 2016, Harper will get plenty of RBI opportunities. The same goes for a healthy Rendon rebounding this season. Plus, the addition of second baseman Daniel Murphy adds another highly consistent stick with versatility to the Nats lineup.

All of those pieces add up to more damage on pitchers for Harper in 2016 and possibly a run at the first NL Triple Crown in 79 years.