Projecting the Nats after 6.5 Miles

Halfway through tonight's game against the Pirates, the Nationals will have played one quarter of their 2011 season.  Here are some projections of player performances over the full season based purely on past performance with no regard for statistical anomalies like .BABIP, xFIP or playing time.

Batting:

Jayson Werth will lead the team with 24 HR.

Jayson Werth will lead the team with 132 hits.

Jayson Werth will lead the team with 32 doubles.

Danny Espinosa will lead the team with 12 triples.

Jayson Werth will lead the team with 88 runs scored.

Danny Espinosa will lead the team with 80 RBIs.

Adam LaRoche will walk 92 times.

Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond will strike out 156 times each.

Danny Espinosa will get hit by 28 pitches.

Ian Desmond will steal 52 bases.

Pudge Rodriguez will ground into 16 double plays, but so will Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos.

As a team, the Nationals will hit 120 HR.
As a team, the Nationals will score 612 runs.
As a team, the Nationals will win 76 games - up 7 from last year.

Pitching:

Livan Hernandez will pitch 228 innings.

Jason Marquis will win 20 games.

Jordan Zimmermann and Tom Gorzelanny will each rack up 140 strike outs.

John Lannan and Livo will each walk 72 batters.

Drew Storen will finish with 32 saves.

Tyler Clippard will end up with 36 holds.

Drew Storen will allow only 4 earned runs to score (in 89 IP).

As a team, the Nats will surrender 120 HRs.
As a team, the Nats will allow 664 runs to score.

Defense:

Ian Desmond will commit 32 errors.

Adam LaRoche will commit 0 errors.

Pudge Rodriguez will throw out 24 runners while allowing 28 stolen bases.

Wilson Ramos will throw out 20 runners while allowing 28 stolen bases.

Adam LaRoche will be part of 120 double plays.

As a team, the Nats will commite 96 errors - down 31 from last year.

MVP:

Most valuable offensive player of the year - Wilson Ramos, with 3.2 fWAR & 2.8 bWAR.

Most valuable starting pitcher of the year - Jordan Zimmerman, with 5.2 fWAR.

Most valuable relieving pitcher of the year - Drew Storen, with 5.2 bWAR.