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Washington Nationals: Stevenson Shines This Week In AFL Action

By Ricky Keeler

Jun 14, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers runner Andrew Stevenson (6) slides safely against TCU Horned Frogs third baseman Derek Odell (5) during the second inning at TD Ameritrade Park. TCU won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers runner Andrew Stevenson (6) slides safely against TCU Horned Frogs third baseman Derek Odell (5) during the second inning at TD Ameritrade Park. TCU won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Andrew Stevenson’s 5-hit performance highlights the week that was for the Washington Nationals in the Arizona Fall League

This past week, the Washington Nationals prospects continued play for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League. Glendale went 4-2 this week to improve their record to 14-14 in AFL play. With one week left, they are 1.5 games behind the Surprise Saguaros for the West division lead. By far, the best performance from this week amongst the Nats prospects was Andrew Stevenson.

On November 7, Stevenson had a career afternoon against Peoria. He went 5-for-6 at the plate with three runs scored, a home run, and two RBI’s in Glendale’s 15-3 win. He was 7-for-19 this week with his only extra-base hit being the aforementioned home run. After that five-hit game, he got some high praise from Dodgers prospect Cody Bellinger, who had a home run and five RBI’s in that win:

"“I’ve been impressed with him ever since Day 1 and he can swing it really well. I think he’s going to be a good big leaguer here pretty soon.” (h/t Kelsie Heneghan, MILB.com)"

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Drew Ward had a hit in each of the four games he played in this week. He went 5-for-15 with a pair of doubles. In 18 games, Ward is hitting .329 with six RBI’s. His 23 hits are one behind Stevenson’s 24 and the two of them have the most hits on the Glendale roster.

As for Osvaldo Abreu, he had a good game against Salt River on November 9. He went 1-for-4, but he drove in three runs (3-for-10 in three games this week). Abreu had a two-run single in the fourth and a sacrifice fly in the following inning.

In that 10-0 win against Salt River, Austin Voth picked up his second consecutive shutout. He went five innings, gave up no runs on three hits, and struck out three on 74 pitches (49 strikes). The right-hander has thrown five innings in three straight starts and his 20 strikeouts are second on the Glendale staff (Austin Gomber has 26).

The Washington Nationals reliever prospects got their first save Saturday night as Ryan Brinley had a 1-2-3 ninth inning against Scottsdale. Brinley struck out one and did not give up a hit in two innings this week. Jake Johansen gave up two runs on November 8 against Scottsdale and Nick Lee had three strikeouts and gave up one hit in 2.1 innings. Lee has a 1.80 ERA in eight games in the AFL.

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Today, the Desert Dogs are back in action as they take on the Mesa Solar Sox at 3:35 p.m ET. There will only be four games this week unless Glendale makes the championship game Saturday afternoon (4:08 p.m ET, MLB Network).

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