Hitter Of The Week: 2B Austin Davidson (.164, 2 HR, 8 RBI’s)
The 22-year old second baseman only has 11 hits on the season thru 21 games and only had one game where he had a hit in four spots last week. However, he made sure that game would count. On April 28, against the West Virginia Power, as part of a doubleheader, Davidson went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three of the team’s six RBI’s that day.
Despite Davidson’s struggles at the plate, one of the things he has done well to start the season is his ability to draw the base on balls. He has eight walks this season, which is second on the team behind outfielder Dale Carey. Plus, his eight RBI’s is fourth on the team. Last season, with the Auburn Doubledays (New York-Penn League), he hit .248 with two home runs and 22 RBI’s.
Honorable Mention: 1B Jose Marmolejos-Diaz (.240, 3 HR, 11 RBI’s)
Marmolejos-Diaz makes this article for the second time this season as he has been one of the best offensive players at Hagerstown so far. This week, he had six hits, which all came in two games. Like Wooten in Potomac, Diaz went 4-for-5 on Sunday against the Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox). In addition to the six hits, the first baseman drove in three runs over the course of this week.
The left-handed first baseman leads the team in home runs, slugging percentage, and .OPS thru his first 21 games of the season. His 18 hits are second on the team behind Grant DeBruin (22).
Pitcher Of The Week: SP Connor Bach (0-0, 4.50)
While Bach did not get the win on April 28 and has yet to record a win this season, the 22-year old lefty put up his best outing of the season on April 28 against West Virginia. In four innings of work, he gave up two runs on two hits, walked three batters, and struck out eight in a no-decision. The Suns would go on to win that game, the same one in which Davidson had four hits.
The 21st round pick in last year’s draft has averaged four strikeouts per outing. He gets the start this afternoon against the Salem Red Sox, but one of the things you have to keep an eye on with Bach is the walks. He has eight walks in 18 innings, which is tied for the most on the team. He showed the strikeout capabilities in his last start. Now, it is time to see if he can control those pitches.
Honorable Mention: SP Phillips Valdez (2-1, 1.29)
Valdez continues to make the headlines on this Hagerstown pitching staff. The Suns only won two games this past week, but one of those was in Valdez’s start. That game occurred on May 1 against the Greenville Drive. In six innings, Valdez held the Drive offense to two hits and struck out four batters without walking anyone.
The 23-year old righty has not walked a batter or given up a run in his last three starts. He is second on the team in innings (21) behind Austen Williams (3-1, 1.71). He is fourth on the team in strikeouts (15) and his WHIP is very low. His 0.86 WHIP is second on the team and fourth in the entire South Atlantic League.