DC-Internet Baseball Writers Association Announces 2014 Player Achievement Awards

The Washington, DC chapter of the Internet Baseball Writers Association is an organization comprised of Internet writers, on-line media outlets, and bloggers.

 

In accordance with its stated goal of promoting the members of the association and increasing awareness and respect as active members of the media that cover the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball club, the DC-IBWA is pleased to announce its member-voted winners of the 2014 Player Achievement Awards.

Each individual award is named after a member of the district’s storied baseball heritage, to promote awareness of the significance of the history of Washington, DC baseball. Biographies of the honored historical players can be found at this link.

Voters were asked to name first, second and third place for each category. First place votes received five points, second place votes received three points and third place votes received one point.

In addition, the voters were also asked to respond to six survey questions about the Nationals and the on-line media community.

We received 21 ballots from association members from the following online media outlets: District Sports Page, Federal Baseball, WeLoveDC.com, The Nats Blog, D.C. Baseball History, DC is for Baseball, Let Teddy Win!, Matt's Bats, Nationals Arm Race, Nationals GM, Nationals Prospects, Nationals Review, Nats Nation, Nats Noodles, Natstadamus, Red Porch Report.

You can find more information about the DC-IBWA, or our membership, by visiting our website at http://dc-ibwaa.blogspot.com/ or contacting us at DCIBWA@gmail.com.

See the results after the break...
2014 WASHINGTON NATIONALS PLAYER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Goose Goslin Most Valuable Player
(Player most valuable to the success of the Washington Nationals):

1st: Anthony Rendon (62 points, 9 first place votes)
2nd: Denard Span (38 points, 4 first place votes)
3rd: Jayson Werth (25 points, 2 first place votes)

Others receiving votes: Adam LaRoche (17, 1 first place vote), Doug Fister (8, 1 first place vote), Ian Desmond (7, 1 first place vote), Tanner Roark (4), Jordan Zimmermann (1).

 

Walter Johnson Starting Pitcher of the Year
(Excellent performance as a starting pitcher):

1st: Jordan Zimmermann (64 points, 10 first place votes)
2nd: Doug Fister (46 points, 6 first place votes)
3rd: Tanner Roark (26 points, 2 first place votes)

Others receiving votes: Stephen Strasburg (26).

Frederick "Firpo" Marberry Relief Pitcher of the Year
(Excellent performance as a relief pitcher):

1st: Drew Storen (76 points, 11 first place votes)
2nd: Tyler Clippard (68 points, 7 first place votes)

3rd: Rafael Soriano (10 points)

Others receiving votes: Craig Stammen (4), Aaron Barrett (2), Matt Thornton (1).

Sam Rice Hitter of the Year
(Excellence in all-around hitting, situational hitting and baserunning):

1st: Anthony Rendon (67 points, 12 first place votes)
2nd:  Denard Span (39 points, 3 first place votes)
3rd: Jayson Werth (36 points, 3 first place votes)

Others receiving votes: Adam LaRoche (10), Ian Desmond (5).

Frank Howard Slugger of the Year

(Excellence in power hitting):

1st: Adam LaRoche (71 points, 15 first place votes)
2nd: Ian Desmond (33 points, 2 first place votes)
3rd: Anthony Rendon (29 points, 1 first place vote)

Others receiving votes: Jayson Werth (11), Wilson Ramos (3), Bryce Harper (2), Ryan Zimmerman (1).

Joe Judge Defensive Player of the Year 

(Excellence in fielding):

1st: Denard Span (68 points, 12 first place votes)
2nd: Anthony Rendon (46 points, 4 first place votes)
3rd: Ian Desmond (14 points, 2 first place vote)

Others receiving votes: Adam LaRoche (13),  Bryce Harper (7), Wilson Ramos (4), Danny Espinosa (3), Jayson Werth (3), Asdrubal Cabrera (2), Jose Lobaton (1).

Mickey Vernon Comeback Player of the Year

(Player who overcame biggest obstacle in the preceding season to contribute on the field):

1st: Drew Storen (51 points, 8 first place votes)
2nd: Adam LaRoche (30 points, 4 first place votes)
3rd: Wilson Ramos (16 points, 2 first place votes)

Others receiving votes: Denard Span (13, 1 first place vote), Bryce Harper (8), Danny Espinosa (5), Ryan Zimmerman (3), Kevin Frandsen (3), Aaron Barrett (1), Rafael Soriano (1).

Josh Gibson Humanitarian Player of the Year

(Player who meritoriously gave of himself to the community):

1st: Ian Desmond (51 points, 7 first place votes) 

2nd: Ryan Zimmerman (41 points, 5 first place votes)
3rd: Adam LaRoche (27 points, 3 first place votes)

Others receiving votes: Bryce Harper (10, 1 first place vote), Denard Span (8), Tyler Clippard (3), Wilson Ramos (1).

Minor League Player of the Year
(Minor league player most destined for big league success):

1st: Lucas Giolito (47 points, 8 first place vote)
2nd: Michael Taylor (47 points, 4 first place votes)
3rd: Steven Souza (42 points, 5 first place vote)

 

Others receiving votes: A.J. Cole (13), Taylor Hill (1), Reynaldo Lopez (1).

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SURVEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

1. Which players on the 40-man roster at the end of the season are least likely to return in 2010?

Rafael Soriano (19), Adam LaRoche (12), Asdrubal Cabrera (10), Nate Schierholtz (10), Ross Ohlendorf (6), Scott Hairston (6), Ross Detwiler (6), Ryan Mattheus (5), Kevin Frandsen (5), Danny Espinosa (4), Erik Davis (4), Jerry Blevins (3), Tyler Moore (2), Pedro Florimon (2), Xavier Cedeno (2), Nate McLouth (2), Jhonatan Solano (2), Jose Lobaton (1), Denard Span (1), Matt Thornton (1), Ian Desmond (1).

 

2. Will the Nats sign Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann to long-term contract extensions before they reach free agency? Desmond Yes (12), Desmond No (7), Zimmermann Yes (5), Zimmermann No (14).

3. What player was the biggest surprise for the Nats this season? Tanner Roark (15), Anthony Rendon (3), Drew Storen (1), Denard Span (1).

4. What player was the biggest disappointment for the Nats this season? Rafael Soriano (7), Bryce Harper/health (6), Ryan Zimmerman/health (3), Ross Detwiler (2), Nate McLouth (1).

5. Who is your favorite professional Nationals writer? Adam Kilgore (8), Mark Zuckerman (6), James Wagner (3), Barry Svrluga (3), Tom Boswell (1).

 

6. Who is your favorite non-professional Nationals writer? Patrick Reddington-Federal Baseball (6), Red Porch Report (3), Dave Nichols-District Sports Page (3), Luke Erickson-Nationals Prospects (3), James O'Hara-Citizens of NatsTown (2), Joe Drugan-The Nats Blog (2), Nationals Archive (1), Nationals GM (1), Nationals 101 (1), Stuart Wallace-District Sports Page (1), Harper Gordek-Nationals Baseball (1).