Who would be Nats' postseason hero?

Photo by Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER

Ryan Zimmerman has always had a flair for the dramatic. Could he do it in October?

It seems safe to say that the 2010 postseason will be remembered as the Postseason of Cliff Lee. Unless it's the Postseason of Roy Halladay. Or the Postseason of Tim Lincecum.

October creates baseball heroes, players who rise to the occasion and shine under the brightest spotlight, immortalizing themselves in the game's lore. Sometimes, these heroes are already-great players who become even greater legends with their postseason performances (Bob Gibson, Reggie Jackson, Curt Schilling). Sometimes, they're little-known role players who thrust themselves into the baseball pantheon with one epic feat (Bill Mazeroski, Bobby Thomson, Bucky Dent, Aaron Boone).

So here's the question of the day: If and when the Nationals ever reach the postseason, who is most likely to become D.C.'s postseason baseball hero?

Is it Ryan Zimmerman, who in his five big-league seasons certainly has shown a flair for the dramatic? Could Mr. Walk-Off pull another one off in late-October?

Is it Stephen Strasburg, who has all the qualities you want from a postseason ace ... provided he comes back 100 percent from Tommy John surgery, of course?

Is it Bryce Harper, who has yet to play an actual minor-league game (let alone a major-league game) but who's already touted as a star-in-waiting, an 18-year-old phenom who loves the spotlight?

Is it Drew Storen, the man who could have the ball in his hand for the ninth inning of a postseason clincher and would be at the center of a dogpile of delirious teammates?

Is it a role player like Ian Desmond or Wilson Ramos or Michael Morse, someone who could find themselves at the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tie game with a chance to add his name to the list of unlikely postseason heroes?

Is it someone we've never even heard of, a low-level minor leaguer or a college player who has yet to be drafted but will come along right around the time the Nats actually are in position to play in late-October?

What do you think? If the day ever comes where the Nationals are enjoying their first-ever champagne celebration, what player will be most responsible?