Each spring training, there is at least one player that usually surprises everyone and makes the big league roster. Last year, you could make the case one of the Washington Nationals that were a surprise was reliever Matt Belisle. Belisle, who signed a minor league deal last offseason, ended up making the Opening Day roster and was a success.
Despite pitching in only 40 games because of injuries, the 36-year-old right-hander had a 1.76 ERA, struck out 32 batters, and walked just seven in 46 innings. Last season, he held opponents to a .