5 Potential Breakout Candidates to Watch in Spring Training

The Washington Nationals have one of the most well-equipped farm systems in baseball, and every year around February and March it churns out a crop of players who turn big league spring training invites into coming out parties. 

Washington's collection of 40-man roster members and 20 non-roster invitees who make up the spring training guest list all have different motives to show out in Viera, Florida. 

Aaron Barrett, for example, already has an Opening Day roster spot locked up. But spring training will be his chance to show teammates and coaches he's recovered from October's debacle in San Francisco. 

Michael A. Taylor, on the other hand, is in the limbo stage of his career, stuck between the majors and the minors. Spring training is his chance to prove himself invaluable to Washington's big league roster now rather than later. 

Then there are players, like Tyler Moore, just trying to stay afloat in the big leagues, meaning a poor spring training could have disastrous career consequences.  

Washington isn't looking for a savior of the franchise. It has about five of those in the starting rotation alone. 

What the Nationals are searching for is a final piece or two that could shore up the few weaknesses they have and help turn this World Series run they're supposed to make into a reality. 

The following are five players who could turn heads in spring training and fit that mold. 

Aaron Barrett

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Aaron Barrett should be a key contributor in Washington's bullpen this season.

All things considered, Aaron Barrett's career is well ahead of schedule. 

He logged his first major league season in 2014 with 50 appearances, a 1.30 WHIP, 49 strikeouts and a 2.66 ERA. 

But a rookie is a rookie, and rookies are prone to seventh-inning meltdowns in Game 4 of the NLDS that give the San Francisco Giants a series-clinching run on a wild pitch after walking the bases loaded. 

Spring training is Barrett's chance to put that lowlight of his first big league season behind him and reassure the Nationals that he's part of the future of their bullpen. 

Barrett's rookie year was remarkably similar to closer Drew Storen's first go-around in the majors. In 2010, Storen made 54 appearances and earned a 1.27 WHIP with 52 Ks. Barrett's 2.66 ERA, however, was considerably better than Storen's 3.58. 

It's worth noting that Barrett and Storen are the same age at 27 despite the latter's earlier breakthrough into the majors. But if Barrett's career follows a trajectory similar to Storen's, Washington's bullpen will be in good shape. 

Storen's career ERA is 2.94—a number Barrett is very capable of matching in his own career. 

Spencer Kieboom

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23-year-old Spencer Kieboom has a chance to show off his powerful bat in spring training after receiving a non-roster invite.

Two years ago, an invite to major league spring training seemed far-fetched for Spencer Kieboom.

He played just four games in the 2013 season, all for the Gulf Coast League Nationals, after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

But Kieboom ripped the seams off the ball in 2014 with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. He hit .309 in 87 games with an .852 OPS, tacking on 28 doubles and nine homers. Those numbers are what earned him a non-roster invite to Viera. 

At 23 years old, he's some years away from a spot on the big league roster. But with an eye toward the future, Washington could use a hitting catcher like Kieboom. Last season, Nationals catchers combined to finish 25th in baseball in the RBI category and 24th in OPS. 

Washington's coaches will have their eyes on Kieboom this spring. He's one of only two prospects—as opposed to veterans—with a non-roster invite. 

If he maintains the aptitude at the plate that punched his ticket to spring training, it could fast-track his trip through the minors. 

Michael A. Taylor

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Michael A. Taylor is being groomed as Denard Span's successor in center field.

By now, Michael A. Taylor's name isn't new to Nationals fans. 

He's young, he's lightning quick on the base path and in the outfield, and he's waiting with both hands out for Denard Span to pass him the torch in center field. 

With Span's contract up after this season, 2015 could be the last spring training before Taylor is an everyday player in the major leagues. So with his range in the outfield well-documented, Taylor's spring will be about proving his ability at the plate and potentially earning a spot on the Opening Day roster. 

Taylor's batting average took a dip with every increase in the level of competition last season. You can't knock him too much for that, but his overall drop from .313 in Double-A to .205 in the majors suggests room for improvement.

His big league stats come from a small sample size, though—just 17 games in 2014. 

Spring training will give him the chance to settle in against the type of competition he'll eventually face in a 162-game season.

Those repetitions should help the 23-year-old adjust to MLB pitchers, and toward the end of the spring he could convince Washington he's ready for The Show. 

Tyler Moore

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Tyler Moore's spring training will set the course for the rest of his MLB career.

Tyler Moore is right on the cusp of a spot on Washington's Opening Day roster. 

He could very realistically be the last person left off if the team decides to give the last bench spot to Mike Carp or Dan Uggla. 

And if that doesn't put enough pressure on Moore in spring training, he could be forced to leave D.C. if he fails to make the cut for Opening Day. 

MASNsports.com's Chris Johnson broke down Moore's situation in a recent column. 

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Tyler Moore, 28, is facing a critical spring. He is out of minor league options, meaning he either needs to make the Nationals' Opening Day roster or be subjected to the waiver wire on his way to the minors. He's struggled to maintain his offense with inconsistent playing time, batting just .231 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 42 games last year.

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Youth and versatility give Moore the upper hand over a 34-year-old Uggla who plays exclusively at second base. But Moore and Carp are both 28 years old and they both play first base and outfield.

Barring an Uggla slugfest in which he's all of a sudden great again, spring training will see a head-to-head competition between Moore and Carp.  

Mike Carp

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Mike Carp's experience could earn him a spot on Washington's Opening Day roster.

Based on the last slide, you knew where this was going. 

Mike Carp is the second half of the spring training competition for the last spot on the bench come Opening Day. And while he and Tyler Moore are carbon copies of each other in many categories, Carp's big league experience could put him over the edge. 

If either Carp or Moore puts on a fireworks show at the plate in spring training, Washington coaches will have a much easier decision to make. But assuming the two stay neck-and-neck, Carp has one thing almost everyone in the Nationals organization is looking for: a World Series ring. 

Carp has racked up 318 appearances in the majors spanning six years and three teams. The most games he's ever played in a single season are the 86 he logged with the Boston Red Sox in 2013—a year that ended in a title. 

He played in just 59 games in 2014, but his ability to man first base and outfield positions could get him on the field for Washington.

Those are arguably the two most concerning spots for the Nationals injury-wise. So that opportunity for playing time should be more than enough incentive for Carp, a non-roster invitee, to lay it all on the line in spring training.