Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (5/11-5/17)

Harrisburg Senators (15-21)

 Hitter Of The Week: RF Kevin Keyes (.230, 4 HR’s, 19 RBI’s)

This week, the 26-year old right fielder brought the power to the ballpark for the Senators. He had seven hits in six games, which included two of his four home runs on the season. On May 13 vs. Reading (Philadelphia Phillies), he went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a home run, and two RBI’s. Then, on May 16 vs. Trenton, he went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in the sixth inning. However, the Senators would lose that game on a walk-off home run.

With the seven RBI’s Keyes had this week, he now is the team leader in RBI’s as he is now two ahead of Matt Skole. Plus, he is now tied with Rick Hague for third on the team in hits with 26. While he is second on the team in strikeouts (27), this is a player that can hit for power. He had 20 home runs in 114 games last year for Harrisburg.

Honorable Mention: CF Brian Goodwin (.267, 1 HR, 13 RBI’s)

The theme of the top hitters in Harrisburg this week are in the outfield We shift over to center field as Goodwin, who is the number 14 prospect in the Nats organization (according to MLB Pipeline). This weekend, in Harrisburg’s series against Trenton, Goodwin went 5-for-16 with five RBI’s. He has driven in at least one run in four of his last six games.

Last season, the 24-year old hit .219 with triple-A Syracuse in 80 games. While he hasn’t stolen as many bases (3) as he did with Harrisburg in 2013 (19 games). He is fourth on the team in RBI’s, but one thing to keep an eye on for Goodwin is in the field. He has made five errors, which is the most of any player on the roster right now. That being said, Goodwin is still a player with a lot of potential that is starting to get on a hot streak.

Pitcher Of The Week: SP Richard Bleier (2-0, 3.43)

This is the second time that Bleier has made this slideshow, but the first time he ha been picked as a member of the Senators. As part of Harrisburg’s sweep against Reading this past week, Bleier went seven innings on May 11, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out three, and did not walk one batter on 72 pitches. Out of those 72 pitches, 51 of them were strikes.

Bleier would make a second start against the Thunder on Sunday and was just as good. In six innings, he gave up three runs (one earned run) on seven hits, struck out two, and did not walk one batter on 82 pitches (60 strikes). Bleier has shown great control in his time with the Senators as he has only walked one batter in 18 innings with the Senators. With the Chiefs, he was 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA in four games.

Honorable Mention: SP Joe Ross (2-1, 2.54)

Every week, Joe Ross seems to find his way on the slideshow. By the way, the Washington Nationals did face his older brother, Tyson, at PETCO Park on Thursday. That was the only game the Nationals lost in San Diego. As for the younger Ross, he has another great outing against Reading on May 12. He went seven innings, gave up one run on seven hits, struck out five, and walked one in the victory.

The 21-year old right-hander has not lost in a start since April 15 against Bowie. In his last four starts, he has thrown a combined 26 innings. Plus, he is keeping the opponents off the scoreboard. He has given up one earned run or fewer in three of his last four starts.

Next: High-A