Washington Nationals: Who wins the 2018 Brian Goodwin Award?
Last year, outfielder Brian Goodwin held down the fort for the Washington Nationals when they needed him most. Which player does the same in 2018?
Though it’s not an official award acknowledged by the Washington Nationals, I would like to create one in honor of Brian Goodwin. Referred to as the “Brian Goodwin Award,” it’s an honor bestowed upon a player who most exemplifies his qualities from 2017. Ergo, it’s someone who steps up in a pinch and replaces the starters for a long duration.
Because the Nationals have such amazing depth this year, they have plenty of candidates for this award. Who are they and what can they offer?
The Favorites
The two favorites to win the first annual Brian Goodwin Award are Matt Adams and Howie Kendrick. Each has experience as an everyday player. It would only make sense that they could man a position for a prolonged period.
Adams’ chances are slimmer than Kendrick because of his position. His positional limitation to first base prevents him from taking over for anyone other than Ryan Zimmerman. Kendrick, on the other hand, may even start Opening Day in place of Daniel Murphy. Viewed as the team’s top utility man, we may even see him play the corner outfield and third base if needed.
The Second-Tier
After Adams and Kendrick, the top choices to win this award are Wilmer Difo, Pedro Severino, and the man whose name created this honor, Brian Goodwin himself. Does he qualify for it, though? If Cy Young never had a chance to win a Cy Young Award, should Goodwin win one in his own honor?
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All three of these men should crack the Opening Day roster. Each is lined up to see significant playing time, possibly as a replacement should anyone go down.
Among them, I would list Severino as the favorite. Matt Wieters is the only man preventing him from going to number one on the depth chart. Difo isn’t far behind as he is their only shortstop after starter Trea Turner.
As for Goodwin, he will need multiple injuries to see his name in the starting lineup regularly. Last season it took disabled list stints for Adam Eaton and Michael Taylor. This year, it may take more.
The Other Guys
No list of possible breakout Washington Nationals stars is complete without Victor Robles. The franchise’s number one prospect may need to wait a few weeks before joining the MLB roster. If he does, it may be as a replacement for an injured outfielder in a regular starting role.
Next: 2018 is no time for redemption stories
Lesser choices include Andrew Stevenson and Rafael Bautista. Adrian Sanchez is one other name to consider. He’s someone I could see having a role with the Nationals when they get short on talent. If anyone can surprise us most, it must be him.