Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (7/20-7/26)

(Photo Credit: MILB.com)

Potomac Nationals (47-52)

Hitter Of The Week: 1B John Wooten (.252, 6 HR, 34 RBI’s)

Last Tuesday, Wooten had one of his best games of the season against the Frederick Keys. He went 4-for-5 at the plate with a double in Potomac’s 7-0 win against the Orioles’ Carolina League affiliate. He hit a solo home run in that game in the top of the fourth inning. It was the second time this season that Wooten had four hits in a game (April 30).

The 24-year-old first baseman went 12-for-27 at the plate with five RBI’s this past week, including driving in four of those runs against Frederick. In 20 games this month, he is hitting .243 with two home runs and nine RBI’s.

Honorable Mention: CF Rafael Bautista (.222, 0 HR, 3 RBI’s)

After completing his rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League and in Auburn, Bautista re-joined the Potomac club on July 22, a place in which he started the season. The 22-year-old went 7-for-21 at the plate this past week with three RBI’s. His best game of the week was on Saturday against the Salem Red Sox.

In that game, Bautista went 3-for-4, but he had three stolen bases. Bautista had 69 stolen bases last year for low-A Hagerstown. Potomac has used him in the leadoff spot and it will be interesting to see if Bautista can rack up the stolen base numbers in the Carolina League.

Pitcher Of The Week: SP John Simms (6-6, 2.74)

Before Simms was promoted to Harrisburg on Saturday, he ended his campaign in the Carolina League on a great note. Against the Keys on July 21, the 23-year-old right-hander went eight innings, gave up no runs on two hits, struck out ten batters, and walked two.

That performance earned Simms pitcher of the week in the Carolina League. In four games this month (three starts), Simms is 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA and has held opponents to a .175 batting average. He has held opponents scoreless in three of his last five starts.

Honorable Mention: SP Ian Dickson (1-0, 2.50)

Dickson is one of those names that is flying under the radar in the Potomac rotation. He made his second start for the P-Nats yesterday against Salem. In 5.1 innings, he gave up no runs on one hit, struck out five, and walked three to pick up his first win of the season.

Last season, Dickson pitched in 30 games for Potomac (15 starts). He went 5-9 with a 4.37 ERA, struck out 100 batters and walked 47 in 123.2 innings. The one problem for Dickson early in his 2015 season has been his command. The 24-year-old right-hander has walked 11 batters in his first 18 innings.

Next: Low-A