Washington Nationals Minor Leagues Players Of The Week: (7/6-7/12)
By Ricky Keeler
(Photo Credit: Grading On The Curve)
Auburn Doubledays (8-13)
Hitter Of The Week: OF Andrew Stevenson (.333, 0 HR, 6 RBI’s)
It has been only 14 games, but Stevenson has adjusted well in his first couple of weeks in professional ball. Currently, one of the Nats’ second round picks in this year’s draft is on a nine game hitting streak even though 18 of his 19 hits have been singles. He was 7-for-22 at the plate this past week with four RBI’s.
Stevenson has also been active on the bases as he had four steals in seven attempts. The Doubledays usually hit him leadoff, but this past weekend, Rafael Bautista has been with Auburn on a rehab assignment, so he has been hitting leadoff. While he may only hit singles, he does his job and gets on base. It’s definitely been a great start for Stevenson.
Honorable Mention: SS Edwin Lora (.269, 1 HR, 6 RBI’s)
This past week, the 19-year-old shortstop for the Doubledays had three multi-hit games over a five game period. He was 7-for-19 at the plate with three RBI’s. Unlike Stevenson, Lora’s hits have mainly gone for extra-base hits this year. Out of Lora’s 14 hits, he has eight extra-base hits this season (five doubles, two triples, one home run).
His best game of the week came on July 10 against the Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins). He went 2-for-3 with a triple, a RBI, two runs scored, and two walks. Last season in the Gulf Coast League, Lora hit .293 with 15 RBI’s and had eight doubles in 52 games.
Pitcher Of The Week: SP Jefry Rodriguez (1-2, 5.40)
Rodriguez, who was named New York-Penn League pitcher of the week this week, had a good outing on July 10 against Batavia. He went six innings, gave up one run on two hits, struck out eight, and walked two in Auburn’s 13-1 win. He threw 83 pitches, with 49 of them going for strikes.
The 21-year-old began his season at low-A Hagerstown, where he went 1-5 with a 7.45 ERA in nine games. One of the main problems for Rodriguez has been his control. He has 32 walks in 58.2 combined innings this season and has walked at least two batters in eight straight outings. If Rodriguez can show better control, he has the chance to put up some good numbers at the short season level.
Honorable Mention: SP Erick Fedde (1-1, 1.59 ERA)
It’s been a great four starts for Fedde in his first few games of professional ball. In his start against Staten Island (New York Yankees) on Saturday, he went five innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out six, and did not walk a batter. Fedde has struck out six batters in each of his last two starts and has a 7:1 strikeout to walk ratio.
One of the things to keep an eye on about Fedde’s first few starts is his pitch count. The 22-year-old right-hander has thrown 75+ pitches in each of his last two starts, where he has gone five innings in both. In his start against Staten Island, 55 of the 76 pitches he threw went for strikes. So far, Fedde and Rodriguez are tied for the team lead in strikeouts (21) and are in the top ten in the New-York Penn League in that category.