Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (6/29-7/5)
By Ricky Keeler
(Photo Credit: Grading On The Curve)
Auburn Doubledays (7-9)
Hitter Of The Week: 1B David Kerian (.204, 0 HR, 11 RBI’s)
The Nats’ ninth round pick out of the University of Illinois got his week started on a great note. Against the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets) on June 29, Kerian went 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI’s in the team’s 11-4 loss. Those two doubles were Kerian’s first extra base hits of the season.
Over the course of this past week, the 22-year-old went 9-for-24 at the plate with six RBI’s. Even though he did not record a hit in the last two games against the State College Spikes (St. Louis Cardinals), he did have a RBI in each game. Kerian’s 11 RBI’s are tied for sixth in the New York-Penn League.
Honorable Mention: OF Andrew Stevenson (.343, 0 HR, 2 RBI’s)
It has only been nine games, but one of the Nats’ second round picks in this year’s draft is off to a great start. Plus, the former LSU outfielder has been solid out of the leadoff spot in his last four games. He went 9-for-26 with two RBI’s (both on July 1 vs. Williamsport), but he is hitting .500 (8-for-16) in his last four games. The 21-year-old is starting to show some of his speed as he has stolen four bases in six attempts this season.
Pitcher Of The Week: SP Erick Fedde (1-0, 1.50)
The Nats’ first round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft is off to a good start in his first three games of professional ball. The 22-year-old right-hander put together a solid outing on July 4 against State College. He went five innings, gave up one run on six hits, struck out six, and did not walk a batter for his first win of the season.
Fedde has only given up two earned runs in three starts, but after walking three batters in his first start against Batavia, he has not walked a batter in each of his last two starts. The strikeouts have also increased in those three outings.
Honorable Mention: RP Koda Glover (0-0,0.00)
Glover was the Nats’ eighth round pick in this year’s draft out of Oklahoma State and he has yet to give up a run in any of his three appearances. This week, he struck out eight batters and gave up only one hit in four innings of work. His first professional save occurred on June 30 against the Brooklyn Cyclones when he struck out five batters in two innings. The 22-year-old right-hander has struck out 11 batters, walked one, and has held opponents to a .053 batting average.