As a part of the DC-IBWA's preseason polls for Nationals awards, the members were asked 10 questions about typical awards for the team. Below are the questions and my answers. The poll results can be seen at http://dc-ibwaa.blogspot.com/?m=1 but I will post the results as the become available.
Question 1. Who will lead the Nationals in home runs in 2012?
Answer: Ryan Zimmerman
Reasoning: if he stays healthy this year, he has complete protection in the line up for the first time in a while.
Q 2. Who will lead the Nats in RBI?
A: Jayson Werth
R: hitting behind Zimm and Mike Morse, he'll have plenty of opportunities. Plus he looks more relaxed than last year.
Q 3. Who will lead the Nats in stolen bases?
A: Ian Desmond
R: He's the lead-off man this year, and I expect skipper Davey Johnson to give him the green light a bit more this season.
Q 4. Who will lead the Nats' staff in wins?
A: Steven Strasburg
R: Whenever Stras is on the mound, the bats seem to come alive for him. Also, if he keeps games to around 3 runs like he has been doing, wins should follow.
Q 5. Who will pitch more innings FOR THE NATS: Chien-Ming Wang, John Lannan, or Ross Detwiler?
A: Chien-Ming Wang
R: He's Davey's guy. Once he gets healthy, he will be the starter and John Lannan will most likely be traded or relegated to bullpen duty. Ross Detwiler is the odd man out, and is already in th pen behind Wang and Lannan so I don't see him getting more than 70 innings unless a couple injuries occur.
Q 6. Who will have more at-bats for the Nats this year: Rick Ankiel, Roger Bernadina, or Bryce Harper?
A: Bryce Harper
R: Harper is THE guy. Ankiel and Bernadina are place holders until he's ready. I don't see half the year going by with Harper in AAA and the other two splitting CF duties.
Q 7. Date of Bryce Harper's debut?
A: May 18th, 2012
R: Just a guess of course, but it's a Friday home game against the Orioles so there my be some intrigue in his debut then.
Q 8. Which minor leaguer are you most interested in keeping tabs on (other than Bryce Harper)?
A: Tyler Moore
R: He's lead the Nats farm system the past two years in homers. He definitely looks like the future at the position once Adam LaRoche moves on.
Q 9. How many All Stars will the Nats have this year? Who?
A: Three; Steven Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman, Drew Storen
R: again, just a hunch, but I fully believe Storen will be number two in the NL in saves, Strasburg will be the talk of baseball, and Zimm will have a career year.
Q 10. Total wins and what place in the division?
A: 92; second place in the NL East
R: The Phillies are really beat up and older. The Marlins will probably win the division and the Nats will surprise everyone.
Essay: Single most important development for the Nats this year.
A: The strikeouts, or hopefully lack there of. Last year, there seemed to be be a ton of strikeouts in key points of the game. If the Nats can cut down on that, they can be really dangerous.
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