Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (6/22-6/28)

(Photo Credit: MILB.com)

Potomac Nationals (34-39)

Hitter Of The Week: 3B Adrian Sanchez (.223, 3 HR, 13 RBI’s)

This past week, the Potomac Nationals only played three games due to rainouts and the Carolina vs. California League All-Star. However, in those three games, Sanchez played well enough to make this slideshow for the first time this year.

Sanchez was 6-for-10 in three games with a double home run, three RBI’s, and two runs scored. His home run came on June 26 against the Wilmington Blue Claws (Kansas City Royals). After a rough start to the year in double-A, the 24-year-old is hitting .290 with a home run and five RBI’s in 18 games with Potomac. Today, he was named player of the week in the Carolina League.

Honorable Mention: RF Narciso Mesa (.282, 1 HR, 17 RBI’s)

In those three games this week, the 23-year-old right fielder went 4-for-12 with two RBI’s. His best game of the week was on June 25 against Wilmington when he went 2-for-5 with two RBI’s. He was the only Potomac player to have multiple RBI’s in a game this week.

In 21 games this month, Mesa is having his best month of the season. He is hitting .338 with one home run, 11 RBI’s, and six stolen bases. Mesa has the second batting average on the team behind Sanchez (.290).

Pitcher Of The Week: SP Phillips Valdez (2-2, 5.54)

Yesterday, against the Carolina Mudcats (Atlanta Braves), Valdez continued the success that he had against the Mudcats nine days prior. In six innings of work, the 23-year-old right-hander gave up one run on four hits, struck out six, and did not walk a batter in his second straight win.

Over the last 11.2 innings, Valdez has struck out 12 batters and only walked one. Yes, it is the same opponent that he faced, but you have to think Valdez is starting to get used to pitching in the Carolina League after a rough start.

Honorable Mention: RP Nick Lee (0-1, 2.77)

It wasn’t a great week for pitching in Potomac. Lucas Giolito had his outing cut short due to rain and Reynaldo Lopez gave up five runs in a complete game loss. However, one of the bright spot in Potomac’s bullpen has been their closer, Nick Lee. Yesterday, Lee gave up no runs on one hit and walked one to record his ninth save of the season in ten attempts.

In his last 4.2 innings, the 24-year-old left-hander has only given up one run. In the month of June, Lee has a 4.15 ERA in seven outings. But, three of the four runs he gave up occurred in one outing (June 9 against Carolina).

Next: Low-A