Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (7/20-7/26)

Feb 24, 2014; Viera, FL, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo watches the spring training action at space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

It’s Monday, which means it is time for another edition of Minor League Monday. Every week, we take a look back at who were the best hitters and pitchers in the Washington Nationals farm system. This week, the farm system is going to be under a large microscope with the Trade Deadline taking place Friday night at 4 PM ET.

Of course, the major story in the Nats farm system this week occurred on Saturday when it was announced that top prospect Lucas Giolito will now be pitching with double-A Harrisburg. He is expected to make his debut for the Senators on Tuesday when they take on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays). While Giolito stole the show with promotions, there were other notable players that moved up the ranks.

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Third baseman Matt Skole was one of the players who were promoted from Harrisburg to triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. In 90 games with the Senators, the 25-year-old hit .232 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI’s. Left-handed pitcher Richard Bleier is back with the Chiefs for the second time this season. He is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts at triple-A this season.

At the lower levels, a name to keep eye on is Potomac left-handed reliever Jake Walsh. The 24-year-old left-hander did not give up a run in 14 games with the Hagerstown Suns and was a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities.

There were more rehab games this week for some key Nats players. Anthony Rendon is back with the Nationals, but Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman are still on their assignments. Werth is hitting .391 with five RBI’s in six games for the Chiefs while Zimmerman is just 1-for-15 in five games down in Harrisburg.

With that being said, here are the top performers in the Nats farm system from this past week:

Next: Triple-A