Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (6/15-6/21)

Photo Credit: MILB.com

Harrisburg Senators (29-39)

Hitter Of The Week: SS Trea Turner (.320, 0 HR, 3 RBI’s)

In his first week in the Washington Nationals farm system, Trea Turner made a strong first impression. Through six games, he is 8-for-25 at the plate with three doubles, three RBI’s, and four successful stolen bases. He had three multi-hit games, including two three-hit games during the week.

His best game of the week came on June 17 against the Flying Squirrels. In that game, he went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI’s. Before coming to Washington, Turner was hitting .322 with five home runs and 35 RBI’s for the San Antonio Missions in the Texas League.

Honorable Mention: 2B Wilmer Difo (.295, 0 HR, 6 RBI’s)

Turner and Difo are the middle of the infield combination that Nats fans hope to see in the Nation’s Capital in the coming years. This week, Difo, who has been hitting out of the leadoff spot, went 6-for-19 with a RBI and stole two bases. He is 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts with the Senators this year.

The best game of the week for the 23-year-old came on June 20 against the Altoona Curve. In that game, he went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Difo is second on the team in steals behind Derrick Robinson, While the stolen base totals can be higher, Difo is still having a good season through his first 29 Eastern League games.

Pitcher Of The Week: SP Dakota Bacus (3-1, 3.50 ERA)

Bacus, who started his 2015 season with the Potomac Nationals, is starting to flourish in the Harrisburg rotation. This week, Bacus’ lone start came against the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates) on June 20 in Game one of a doubleheader. While the game was shortened to seven innings, Bacus still went the distance. He gave up no runs on six hits, struck out three, and walked two.

The 24-year-old right-hander is 2-0 in four starts this month with a 2.25 ERA. He has given up six runs in his last four starts combined and has yet to give up more than two runs in any particular start. The man who had three saves in the Carolina League is doing a nice job as mainly a starter with the Senators.

Honorable Mention: RP Abel De Los Santos (1-4, 3.86)

While the bullpen has been the biggest weakness for the Senators this week, one of their relievers did have an impressive outing. 22-year-old Abel De Los Santos made his first relief appearance in a week yesterday against Altoona. He went two innings, gave up one hit, and struck out five batters.

This offseason, De Los Santos was acquired in the Ross Detwiler trade along with Christopher Bostick, who was promoted to Harrisburg last week from Potomac. De Los Santos has three saves in five chances this season. In four games this month, he has nine strikeouts to just one walk.

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