Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (6/8-6/14)
By Ricky Keeler
(Photo Credit: MILB.com)
Hagerstown Suns (30-31)
Hitter Of The Week: 1B Jose Marmolejos-Diaz (.287, 5 HR, 27 RBI’s)
The Hagerstown first baseman is the hitter of the week for the second straight week. This past week, he went 8-for-21 with six runs batted in. He had a pair of three RBI performances on June 11 and June 12. He had four multi-hit performances and came into today’s doubleheader with three straight multi-hit games.
With his six RBI week, the 22-year-old is .306 in nine games in June with one home run and seven RBI’s. He has 52 hits this season, which is third on the team.
Honorable Mention: CF Alec Keller (.287, 0 HR, 14 RBI’s)
Hagerstown’s 23-year-old center fielder is the honorable mention this week. This past week, he did a good job of getting himself on base and allowing his teammates to drive him in. He was 8-for-21 at the plate with a RBI and five runs scored. His best performance came on June 11 against the Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles). He went 2-for-4 at the plate with a triple and three runs scored.
In ten games in June, Keller is hitting .297 with two RBI’s, three triples, and six runs scored. He has five triples this season, which is two behind the leaders in the South Atlantic League. As far as runs scored goes, Keller has 27 on the sesson, which is fourth on the team.
Pitcher Of The Week: RP Drew Van Orden (3-1, 1.67)
Van Orden has emerged as the best reliever on this Hagerstown team. On June 11, against Delmarva, the South Atlantic League All-Star came in relief for Austen Williams and picked up the win. He went four innings, gave up only one hit, and struck out two.
In four relief appearances this season, the right-hander is 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA. Right now, hitters in the South Atlantic League are having a tough time getting on base against him as his opponents batting average is .179. Plus, his WHIP of 0.88 is second on the team amongst pitchers who have made nine or more appearances (Justin Amlung – 0.47)
Honorable Mention: SP Austen Williams (6-1, 1.96)
The 22-year-old right-hander made his return to the rotation on June 11 against Delmarva. He hadn’t appeared in a SAL game since May 25. In that June 11 outing, he went six innings, gave up three runs on five hits, struck out five, and walked one in a no-decision. The three runs allowed is the most Williams has given up in any SAL start (He’s done that twice).
The reason Williams was not with Hagerstown the last time thru the rotation was because he was making a spot start for triple-A Syracuse on June 4 against Scranton Wilkes-Barre. The All-Star gave up five runs on four hits in four innings of work, striking out two batters and walking two in the loss. Even with that bad outing, it had to be good for the young pitcher to have that opportunity to pitch at an affiliate that is three levels higher than what he is at now.