Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (5/25-5/31)

Syracuse Chiefs (17-33)

 Hitter Of The Week: SS Emmanuel Burriss (.280, 2 HR, 13 RBI’S)

 I did like the way that Emmanuel Burriss ended his week for the Syracuse Chiefs. One thing to keep in mind in regards to this week is that the team did not hit a single home run this week. It was tough for them to score runs, but Burriss did rack up the hits toward the end of the week.

From May 28 to May 31, he had three straight multi-hit games. Over that stretch, he went 8-for-14 with three doubles and two RBI’s. With this recent hot streak, Burriss now leads the team in hits with 42 (Jason Martinson is second with 37). In May, the 30-year old hit .296, which was a 60 point jump from his April batting average (.236).

Honorable Mention: CF Tony Gwynn Jr. (.219, 1 HR, 13 RBI’s)

 This week, the Syracuse Chiefs’ center fielder was able to be one of Syracuse’s key RBI guys. Against the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) on May 25 and May 26, Gwynn Jr. went 3-for-8 with a double and two RBI’s. Two RBI’s may not seem as much, but Syracuse scored a grand total of three runs in those two games.

This month, the 32-year-old hit .270 in 23 games with one home run and 11 RBI’s. He did have seven walks and stole three bases as well. Gwynn Jr.’s total of six stolen bases is fourth on the team this year behind Matt den Dekker, Burriss, and Darin Mastroianni.

Pitcher Of The Week: SP Paolo Espino (1-3, 3.48 ERA)

After hitting a home run in his last start against the Indianapolis Indians, Espino took the mound on Friday night against the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays). While he did not hit any home runs in that start, he did put up another quality start.

He went 6.2 innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out eight hitters and walked one. He threw 89 pitches, with 59 of them going for strikes. In his two starts as a member of the Chiefs rotation, he is 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA and has 11 strikeouts to just one walk. It has been a very good start for the 28-year-old.

Honorable Mention: SP Scott McGregor (3-4, 3.25)

With A.J. Cole, Taylor Jordan, and Taylor Hill (who is now with the Nats) spending time in the big leagues, the Chiefs rotation has taken a bit of a hit. One of the pitchers in their rotation that has given them innings is 28-year-old right-hander, Scott McGregor. On May 27, against Norfolk, he went seven innings, gave up two runs on eight hits, and struck out three in a loss.

While McGregor has lost back-to-back starts, one thing to keep in mind is that he was very good in the month of May. In five starts, he went 2-2 with a 2.12 ERA after having a 5.30 ERA in four April starts. In those five starts, he gave up eight earned runs and has averaged nearly seven innings per start. Currently, McGregor leads the team in innings pitched at 52. 2 innings.

Next: Double-A